Tinubu Intervenes as FCT Slams Penalties on Ground Rent Defaulters, Issues 14-Day Ultimatum

ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has waded into the ongoing enforcement action by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) against thousands of property owners over unpaid ground rents, granting a 14-day grace period to settle outstanding debts.

The Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that no fewer than 4,794 properties — some of which have not paid ground rent in the past 10 to 43 years — have been affected by the enforcement exercise.

He revealed that defaulters in the Central Area will pay a hefty N5 million penalty in addition to their outstanding rents. Owners of properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape are to pay N3 million, while those in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will cough up N2 million each as penalties.

The statement, dated May 26, 2025, reads in part:
“Today, we commenced enforcement on 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of ground rent, some ranging up to 43 years in arrears. These include properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations, and individuals.”

However, following the intervention of President Tinubu, the FCTA has granted all affected property owners a 14-day grace period to regularise their payments or risk losing their allocations.

“The President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days to settle the outstanding ground rents along with the prescribed penalties,” the statement added.

In a related development, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has also given a two-week grace period for all property owners in the territory to pay their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills or face revocation.

The FCTA also warned individuals who purchased properties without securing the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment to do so within the 14-day window.

The statement concluded with a strong advisory: “Property owners are advised to pay all required bills and charges on time to allow government continue developmental projects across the FCT.”