The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has approved the revocation of 1,095 properties in the FCT belonging to prominent Nigerians after they failed to pay ground rent, land use conversion or Certificate of Occupancy bills.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Department of Land Administration at the weekend stated that the enforcement action to be taken against the defaulters commenced after a 14-day grace period, which expired on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Of the 1,095 defaulters, 835 are owing ground rent while 260 were listed as land use contravention payment defaulters. The properties are located in high-brow districts including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.
The FCTA emphasized that property owners had been given ample warning through multiple notices published between May and November 2025 in national dailies, online platforms and television stations requesting defaulters to settle their obligations.
The administration noted that these actions were necessary as the defaulters had “contravened the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act and also the terms and conditions of the grants of the respective Rights of Occupancy.”
The blacklist featured names of high-profile individuals and institutions, political figures, former military and security leaders including Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, Patience Jonathan, David Mark, Abdullahi Ganduje, Adeniyi Adebayo, Donald Duke, Aliyu Wamakko, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Ayodele Fayose, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Sule Lamido.
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Also listed are Minister John Owan Enoh, Senator Ali Ndume, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Alison Madueke, Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, late Tony Anenih, late Aminu Alhassan Dantata, Mohammed Rabiu and Senator Iyabo Olusola Obasanjo.
Financial institutions and several government agencies were also listed as defaulters of ground rent including Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Plc.
The revocations are anchored on Section 28 of the Land Use Act which empowers governors (and FCT Ministers) to revoke Rights of Occupancy for various reasons including breach of conditions. The law requires that adequate notice be given to title holders to remedy breaches before revocation.
Legal experts note that revocation must comply with due process requirements under the Land Use Act, including proper notice and opportunity for affected parties to respond. The FCTA’s extensive publication of notices in multiple media channels appears designed to satisfy these requirements.
Wike’s Revenue Generation Drive
Wike’s aggressive land policy appears to be part of a broader revenue generation strategy for the FCT. Ground rent and related charges represent significant potential revenue for the territory’s development, especially given Abuja’s status as Nigeria’s capital and the high value of properties in affected districts.
The latest action brings the total number of properties revoked under the present administration to nearly 6,000 representing one of the most extensive land enforcement exercises in FCT’s history.
Many Nigerians agree with Wike that these actions are necessary to ensure compliance with statutory obligations and generate revenue for infrastructural development. Moreover, the culture of impunity and greed must be jettisoned where affluent citizens acquire lands and properties they don’t need, thereby depriving other Nigerians access to land in the FCT.
The FCT operates under a unique land administration system governed by the Land Use Act. Under this framework, all land in Nigeria belongs to the government, and individuals or organizations hold Rights of Occupancy through C of O. Ground rent is a statutory tax that every land titleholder in the FCT must pay as part of their obligations to maintain their land rights.
The FCTA requires property holders to pay various statutory charges including ground rent which is annual payments due from property holders, Certificate of Occupancy bills related to the issuance and maintenance of land titles, Land Use Conversion fees charges for changing the designated use of land and Penalty/Violation fees Charges for contraventions of land use regulations.
Since his appointment Wike has pursued an aggressive land administration policy. This latest action follows a much larger revocation in March 2025, when the FCTA revoked 4,794 land titles for similar reasons – non-payment of ground rent and related charges.
Property owners on the revocation list may still have legal recourse through the courts, though the FCTA appears to have followed due process requirements. The success of these enforcement actions will likely influence future land administration policies in the FCT and potentially other parts of Nigeria.
Crediblenewsng.com
