ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing enforcement action in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) targeting thousands of properties for non-payment of ground rent, offering a 14-day grace period to settle debts and regularize documentation.
Key Highlights:
- 4,794 properties had been marked for enforcement since May 26, 2025, for owing 10–43 years of ground rent.
- Affected properties include those owned by government agencies, corporate bodies, and individuals.
- Tinubu’s directive pauses enforcement and gives defaulters two weeks to:
- Pay all outstanding ground rents.
- Settle penalties based on location.
- Complete land registration formalities (Minister’s Consent and Deeds of Assignment).
Penalty Structure by District:
| Districts | Penalty Fee + Rent Owed |
|---|---|
| Central Area | ₦5 million |
| Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Guzape | ₦3 million |
| Wuse I, Garki I & II | ₦2 million |
Other Directives:
- Buyers of properties who haven’t obtained Minister’s Consent or registered their Deeds of Assignment must do so within the 14-day window.
- FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also extended the grace period for paying Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.
After the Grace Period:
- Failure to comply may result in property revocation and continued enforcement actions.
- The government emphasizes this effort is essential for urban development funding and administrative transparency.
President Tinubu’s intervention offers a final opportunity for property owners to comply. The FCT Administration is expected to proceed with enforcement strictly after the 14-day period ends.
