President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stepped in to halt the ongoing sealing of properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), allowing a 14-day grace period for property owners in default of ground rent payments to regularise their obligations and documentation.
This development was disclosed on Monday night in Abuja by Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the Director of Land Administration in the FCT, during a press briefing.
According to Mr. Nwankwoeze, enforcement actions commenced on May 26, 2025, against 4,794 properties that had been revoked due to non-payment of ground rent. The default periods for these properties range from 10 to 43 years.
The enforcement affected properties owned by government entities, corporate bodies, and private individuals. Nwankwoeze noted that this action demonstrated the FCT Administration’s determination to execute its responsibilities impartially and in accordance with due process.
However, the intervention of President Tinubu resulted in a temporary suspension of the sealing campaign. Property owners have now been granted two weeks to settle their outstanding dues, including applicable penalties, and update all necessary legal documentation. This grace period is meant to offer a final window for compliance before further enforcement actions resume.
As part of the penalties imposed, properties situated in the Central Area of Abuja will attract a fine of N5 million in addition to the overdue ground rent. For properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape, the penalty is N3 million, while those in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II are subject to a N2 million penalty.
Furthermore, individuals who acquired properties through purchase but have yet to obtain the Minister’s Consent or register their Deeds of Assignment are required to do so within the same 14-day period at the FCT Department of Land Administration. This directive aims to ensure that all transactions related to land are fully documented and in line with regulatory requirements.
The Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has also extended the grace period to cover payment of Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees. He cautioned that failure to settle these bills within the timeframe could lead to title revocations.
In his advisory, the Minister encouraged all property owners in the FCT to prioritise timely settlement of their statutory obligations to support the government’s capacity to deliver essential infrastructure and developmental projects that benefit the entire populace.
What you should know
President Tinubu’s intervention offers property owners in Abuja a critical opportunity to avert the loss of their assets by settling years of unpaid ground rent.
The two-week grace period reflects a temporary reprieve rather than a cancellation of enforcement, reinforcing the FCT Administration’s renewed focus on regulatory compliance and urban development.
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