RismadarVoice Reporters
January 15, 2025
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has announced plans to commence a fresh enforcement exercise against property owners in Abuja who are owing statutory land charges, with actions set to begin next week.
The decision was taken at the first meeting of the FCTA Executive Council for 2026, presided over by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the enforcement will target defaulters on ground rents, Certificate of Occupancy payments and land-use conversion charges.
According to him, the exercise will involve the sealing of affected properties, the revocation of land titles to compel compliance.
Nwankwoeze explained that particular attention would be paid to properties originally allocated for residential purposes but later converted to commercial use without fulfilling statutory requirements.
He listed areas already reviewed by the administration to include Aminu Kano Crescent, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, as well as parts of Garki Areas Seven and Eight.
The director noted that while the FCTA had regularized some of the conversions in line with planning standards, issued letters of approval to property owners, many beneficiaries failed to pay the required fees.
He said the 2026 enforcement drive would be broader than last year’s operation, covering both Phase One and Phase Two of the city, unlike the 2025 exercise which focused mainly on unpaid ground rents.
Nwankwoeze stressed that there would be no exemptions, noting that the enforcement process is automated and applies equally to individuals, corporate organizations and government agencies.
He said repeated public notices and reminders issued through national newspapers, broadcast and social media platforms yielded poor compliance, prompting the approval of enforcement measures.
The Director warned that defaulters face title revocation, sealing of properties and other legal sanctions once the operation begins.
He emphasised that revenues from land charges are critical to funding infrastructure, maintaining Abuja to global standards; urging property owners to clear all outstanding obligations immediately.
Nwankwoeze advised affected property holders to visit the Abuja Geographic Information Systems or the Land Administration Department to regularize their payments before enforcement commences.
The FCTA has intensified efforts to recover outstanding land charges since mid-2025, and revoked over one thousand property titles last year for non-compliance with statutory obligations.
