The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has restated his unwavering commitment to clamp down on individuals and corporate entities that have failed to remit their statutory ground rents.
He warned that the continued refusal to comply with payment directives undermines the Federal Capital Territory’s infrastructural growth and broader development objectives.
Wike, who made this known during his monthly media briefing held in Abuja on Monday, decried the widespread disregard for the presidential directive issued earlier this year.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu had, in May 2025, granted a two-week ultimatum for all defaulters to settle their outstanding ground rent obligations. However, more than three months have passed since that deadline, yet many property owners have reportedly refused to comply.
“You should know what I’m going to do next,” Wike warned. “I thank God the President said two weeks; we are now well beyond three months. That is Nigeria for you. Very soon, we are going to seal up all those properties. I am going to seal them up.” He stressed that the revenue generated from ground rents is a vital source of funding for critical infrastructure and public services within the capital city.
In anticipation of the FCT’s golden jubilee celebration slated for February 2026, the minister also unveiled several key initiatives under the Native Abuja Project — a comprehensive plan aimed at revitalising urban spaces and enhancing the city’s aesthetics and functionality.
Among the highlights of his announcement was a forthcoming memorandum of understanding (MoU) scheduled for signing during President Tinubu’s official visit to China in November. Wike revealed that the FCT Administration would formalise partnerships with two major Chinese construction giants — CGC and ECC — to tackle long-standing challenges with Abuja’s street lighting systems.
He explained that, moving forward, contractors would be mandated not only to install but also to maintain the streetlight infrastructure for a period of four to five years, without demanding additional funding. “This new strategy will ensure the sustainability of our infrastructure and curb the recurring issues of vandalism and neglect that have rendered many streetlights dysfunctional,” Wike stated.
Furthermore, as part of his administration’s drive to promote youth development and civic engagement, the minister announced the construction of three new sports centres. One of the facilities will be located in Bwari, while the other two will be sited within Abuja’s urban districts. These projects, he said, are aimed at providing young people with structured recreational opportunities and encouraging their participation in nation-building.
Responding to criticisms that his leadership has failed to engage stakeholders effectively, Wike defended the FCT Administration’s record. He asserted that his team had conducted wide-ranging consultations across all six area councils in the territory. These engagements, he noted, directly influenced major policy decisions such as the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the recent approval for the founding of a new federal university in Abuja.
In a pointed remark, the minister also took aim at National Assembly members representing the FCT, accusing them of being passive and ineffective in advocating for federal-level support. He faulted their inability to lobby for special interventions that would address the unique needs of the territory.