The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that his administration is actively exploring the possibility of increasing ground rent payments across the FCT.
This consideration comes against the backdrop of a significant challenge: widespread refusal among residents and institutions to pay ground rent and other statutory taxes, which Wike identified as the most pressing obstacle hindering the territory’s development.
The Minister’s announcement follows a rigorous enforcement campaign launched by the FCT Administration (FCTA), which commenced on Monday with the sealing of properties belonging to chronic ground rent defaulters.
This crackdown is aimed at compelling compliance and recovering long-overdue revenues essential for infrastructure and service delivery.
Several notable properties were affected by the enforcement actions, including the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a branch of Access Bank, and a TotalEnergies Filling Station. The inclusion of such prominent institutions underscores the widespread nature of non-compliance within the territory.
The punitive measures have sparked backlash from some quarters. Both the PDP leadership and the FIRS publicly condemned the sealing of their properties, describing the actions as “unprofessional” and an “affront to the country’s democracy.”
The escalating tensions prompted the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who issued a directive granting all defaulters a 14-day ultimatum to clear their outstanding ground rent debts.
As part of the President’s directive, penalties have been established, ranging between ₦2 million and ₦3 million, depending on the location of the property within the FCT. This punitive framework is designed to deter further non-payment and emphasize the seriousness with which the administration views revenue collection.
Addressing the issue during a briefing with journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, Minister Wike expressed his profound frustration over the paradox of residents demanding improved public facilities while simultaneously evading payment of taxes required to fund such developments.
He revealed that many ground rent defaulters have accumulated debts spanning 20 to 30 years, despite the fact that the ground rent rates have remained unchanged for decades.
“My greatest challenge is the challenge of people refusing to pay their money. I will speak on that in the next media chat. People just want facilities; people want infrastructure. But nobody asks, where are you getting these funds? Abuja is not one of the oil cities; we only rely on taxes. These are not new taxes. These are taxes that have been here for years,” Wike lamented.
The Minister went further to criticize the Nigerian elite, highlighting a disturbing contrast between their behavior abroad and at home.
“It is unfortunate that most of the elite own houses overseas. They know the implications of not paying taxes. They know such houses are gone. But when it comes to your own country, you don’t want to do that, simply because nobody wants to obey the law, and everybody thinks there are no sanctions,” he said.
Speaking on the issue of the long-standing ground rent debts and the possibility of increasing the rates, Wike remarked:
“Look at the years—20-something years, 30-something years. And how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that. We will do that, I can assure you.”
Despite the public criticism and resistance, the Minister reiterated the administration’s unwavering commitment to enforcing payment, drawing attention to the President’s recent ultimatum.
“The President has given a waiver of two weeks. Let nobody think that blackmail or whatever will stop us. We will do what we are supposed to do,” Wike affirmed.
In addition to enforcement efforts, Wike highlighted recent progress made in the realm of land administration and documentation within the FCT. He revealed that he had personally signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignment, key documents that formalize land ownership and contribute to transparency and legal certainty.
The Minister made a heartfelt appeal to all residents and property owners to fulfill their tax and ground rent obligations. He emphasized the critical link between revenue collection and the sustainable development of the Federal Capital Territory.
“If you pay tax, you will see that it will be a different thing. And that’s what we are trying to do,” Wike said, urging citizens to recognize their role in the progress of Abuja.