This development was disclosed during a joint press briefing on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka; Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima.
According to the FCTA, the revocations were carried out in accordance with Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to repossess land for breaches of occupancy terms.
The affected properties span strategic locations in Abuja, including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts. The officials affirmed that title ownership has reverted to the FCTA and that the administration will begin exercising its legal rights over the properties from Monday.
“This process will proceed strictly in accordance with the law, regardless of the identity of thecurrent occupants or owners,” the officials emphasized.
The move follows a prior announcement on March 18, 2025, when the FCTA identified 8,375 properties in default. Of those, 4,794 failed to make payments for at least 10 years, including notable structures such as the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Secretariat, which is under construction in the Central Business District. The total unpaid ground rent stands at over N6.96 billion.
The FCTA had issued a 21-day ultimatum for property owners with debts under 10 years to settle their dues or face similar revocations. That grace period has now expired.
Director of Land Administration, Mr. Nwankwoeze, stressed that ground rent obligations are based on statutory provisions and are due annually on January 1st without prior notice. He also confirmed that while some owners have pursued legal action, no court ruling has been issued to restrain the FCTA from proceeding with the takeovers.
Director of Development Control, Mr. Galadima, added that the operation will involve sealing off and restricting access to the affected properties, pending further decisions on their future use.
The properties are located in some of Abuja’s oldest and most prominent districts, specifically those within Phase 1 of the city, including the Cadastral Zones A00 through A09.
