The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will commence strict enforcement actions next week against individuals and organizations defaulting on Ground Rent payments, Land Use Change/Conversion fees, and outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.
The enforcement exercise is scheduled to begin Wednesday, November 26, 2025, according to a statement issued on Thursday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister.
Olayinka recalled that on May 26, 2025, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, granted a 14-day grace period for all ground rent defaulters to settle their outstanding payments along with applicable penalties.
He noted that the Administration also widely publicized notices on September 8, 9, and 10, 2025 in national newspapers and online media regarding the reviewed Land Use/Purpose Clause for properties in the FCT. Property owners were given 30 days to pay a violation fee of ₦5 million and other charges required for Land Use Change/Conversion.
“Another public notice was published in national newspapers as well as online platforms, and aired on television and radio stations, granting defaulters of the land use/purpose clause of properties in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse districts a final grace period of 14 days,” Olayinka explained, noting that this window expires on Monday, November 24, 2025.
He stressed that the initial grace period for ground rent payment ended on June 9, 2025, adding that over five months have passed without compliance from many defaulters.
Consequently, Olayinka confirmed that enforcement would begin without further delay on November 26, targeting not only ground rent and land-use violators but also individuals who purchased properties without obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent or registering their Deeds of Assignment.
“The enforcement will also include 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,” the statement added.
