FCT Ground Rent: President Tinubu Grants 14-Day Grace to Defaulters

By Sofiat Adenekan

President Bola Tinubu, has intervened in the ongoing enforcement actions against ground rent defaulters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), approving a 14-day grace period for affected property owners to settle outstanding obligations and regularise their documentation.

This development was announced by the Director of Land Administration in the FCT, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, during a press briefing held Monday night in Abuja.

According to Nwankwoeze, the FCT Administration began enforcement operations earlier in the day, targeting 4,794 properties whose titles were revoked due to non-payment of ground rent spanning periods of 10 to 43 years.

“The properties affected include those owned by government institutions, corporate organisations, and individuals,” he said. “This enforcement demonstrates the FCT Administration’s resolve to carry out its statutory responsibilities without fear or favour.”

However, following the President’s intervention, the FCTA has now granted a two-week grace period for owners of the affected properties to clear their outstanding ground rent, along with applicable penalties.

Revised Penalty Structure:

Central Area: N5 million penalty plus outstanding ground rent.

Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Guzape: N3 million penalty plus outstanding ground rent.

Wuse I, Garki I, Garki II: N2 million penalty plus outstanding ground rent.

Nwankwoeze further noted that individuals who acquired properties through secondary transactions but have yet to obtain the mandatory Minister’s Consent and register their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days to complete these processes at the FCT Department of Land Administration.

In addition, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has approved a parallel 14-day grace period for all property holders across the territory to settle their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

Failure to comply within the stipulated period may result in revocation of their titles.

“The Minister advises all property owners in the FCT to ensure the timely payment of all applicable charges and documentation fees,” Nwankwoeze stated.

“This will enable the government to continue implementing key infrastructure and development projects that benefit the entire FCT population.”