The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of Ground Rent for over 40 years. This decision affects property owners in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts.

In a statement, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister, Lere Olayinka, explained that the FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents. However, these efforts yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay. Olayinka emphasized that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation.

The affected districts include Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A08), and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09). As of the end of 2024, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners.

Lere Olayinka stated that 4,794 land titles are in default of Ground rent payment for 10 years and above, which is in contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy. Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of Ground Rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith.

Olayinka added that a 21-day grace period is given to title holders who are in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, after which the affected titles will be revoked. This move is aimed at enforcing compliance with the payment of Ground Rent in the FCT.