The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the compilation of a comprehensive list of all ground rent defaulters for immediate sanctions, including the sealing of their properties.
This follows the expiration of a grace period earlier granted by President Bola Tinubu after public outcry halted an initial enforcement exercise. Earlier in the year, the FCT Administration began sealing properties over unpaid ground rent, but Tinubu intervened, granting defaulters two additional weeks — a deadline that has long passed.
On June 2, 2025, the FCTA published a demand notice for outstanding payments covering 2014 to 2024. Speaking in Abuja during the inauguration of a committee on the abuse of the Land Use Act, Wike stressed that enough time had been given.
“We have allowed so much time. Initially, we gave two weeks; it has passed one month, two months, three months. Nigerians often don’t act unless strict measures are taken,” Wike stated.
He directed that the list should include all defaulters, even those owing up to 2025, to enable the commencement of immediate enforcement. The Minister emphasised that the recovered funds are crucial for infrastructure development in the FCT.
Wike also revealed that President Tinubu has signed the FCT’s 2025 budget, but warned that without adequate revenue, planned development projects cannot proceed.
He urged the Directors of Land, Abuja Geographic Information System, Development Control, and Urban and Regional Planning to work relentlessly towards the successful execution of the recovery exercise.
