FCTA Revokes 1,095 Property Titles in Abuja Over Unpaid Land Charges
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun formal enforcement procedures on 1,095 properties across Abuja after revoking their titles for prolonged failure to settle statutory land charges. The action, confirmed on Friday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, marks one of the most extensive enforcement exercises carried out under the current administration.
According to the statement, the affected properties are spread across some of the most prominent districts of the Federal Capital City, including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse. Of the total number, 835 properties were revoked for defaulting on ground rent payments, while 260 were penalised for violating land-use conversion requirements and other regulatory provisions.
The administration stated that it had repeatedly issued public notices between May and November 2025, using national newspapers, television broadcasts and online platforms to alert property owners of their outstanding obligations. These notices, the FCTA said, included reminders to settle ground rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, violation penalties and land-use conversion fees. Despite these warnings, the administration reported that many property holders failed to take corrective action.
In its official communication, the FCTA emphasised that continuous non-compliance violates Section 28, subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to revoke land titles where occupiers default on the terms of their rights of occupancy. The statement argued that the revocation process followed due procedure and that the affected individuals were given adequate time to comply.
The decision to begin enforcement followed the expiration of a final 14-day grace period on November 25, 2025. With the deadline passed, the FCTA said it had no choice but to proceed with sanctions, stressing that adherence to land administration guidelines is essential to the orderly management of Abuja’s territory.
Public reactions to the development, however, have been mixed. Some residents and commentators applaud the minister for taking strict action, arguing that the enforcement of land laws is necessary to restore discipline and accountability in the FCT. They view the revocation as a signal that property ownership in Abuja must be backed by responsibility and compliance with financial obligations.
Others have expressed concerns about the scale and implications of the exercise. Some critics question whether all affected individuals genuinely received the notices, especially in cases involving older properties where documentation may have been lost or poorly archived. A few commentators also suggest that the move may trigger resistance from influential property owners who may challenge the revocations, potentially making the process lengthy and contentious.
There are also calls for greater transparency, with several observers urging the FCTA to publish full details of the properties and the enforcement procedures to ensure public trust. While some see the minister’s actions as necessary administrative discipline, others warn that heavy-handed measures could spark political pushback or legal complications, given the high-profile nature of many Abuja property owners.
For now, the FCTA maintains that its actions are in line with the law and that restoring compliance is essential for effective land governance in the nation’s capital.