Nigeria’s former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, is reportedly in arrears of N152 million for a plot of land located in the prestigious Asokoro district of Abuja, according to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The FCTA revealed this information in a list published on November 26, 2024, detailing individuals and entities owing outstanding payments for property and certificates of occupancy (C of O).
The FCTA has given all defaulters a two-week ultimatum to settle their debts, emphasizing that failure to do so could result in the revocation of land titles. In addition to Babangida, other prominent figures listed among the 9,532 alleged land title debtors include former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and the lawmaker representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal.
According to the FCTA, Ortom owes N950,000 for land in Bazango, a peripheral area of the city, while Tambuwal, who is also a former governor of Sokoto State, has an outstanding N18 million for land in Carraway Dallas, a district located near Asokoro.
The FCTA’s list also includes several federal government agencies, such as the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), all of which have unsettled land title fees. Other notable defaulters include the Kaduna State Government, the Lagos State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, and the State House in Abuja.
To ensure proper compliance, the FCTA has instructed that all payments be made via electronic transfer to the Department of Land Administration’s account. The administration has made it clear that it is committed to enforcing the rules surrounding land ownership and will take necessary actions if the debts remain unpaid within the stipulated time.
