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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate suspension of the forceful repossession of 4,794 plots of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which had earlier been revoked due to long-standing non-payment of ground rent by their allottees.
The presidential intervention, which came amid mounting public concern and disruption to business activities, has granted the affected property owners a temporary reprieve. They have now been given an additional two-week grace period to settle their outstanding debts or risk the permanent forfeiture of their properties to the government.
The development was announced in a statement issued late Monday night by the Director of Land Administration in the FCT, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze. According to the statement, the President’s directive is aimed at ensuring fairness and giving property owners one final opportunity to regularize their land tenure obligations.
The enforcement exercise, carried out earlier on Monday by the FCT Administration, had led to the shutdown of several public and private establishments across Abuja. Businesses operating on the affected lands were forcefully closed, causing disruptions to commercial activities and drawing criticism from property owners, civil society groups, and the wider public.
The statement reads, “Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years.
“Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.
“However, the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.
“For properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
“Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
“Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
“Also, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (TWO WEEKS) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles.
“Going forward, the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”
Ground rent is a statutory financial obligation imposed on land allottees within the FCT to maintain their right of occupancy. Non-compliance with this requirement is considered a breach of the terms of allocation and can lead to revocation of rights and repossession of land by the government.
The decision to halt the repossession comes amid ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to strike a balance between enforcing compliance with land use regulations and promoting a business-friendly environment within the capital territory.
President Tinubu’s intervention is seen by many as a pragmatic move to prevent further socio-economic disruption, while reinforcing the administration’s commitment to due process, fairness, and responsible governance.