The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will launch a major enforcement drive next week targeting property owners who have failed to settle various land-related charges, including ground rent, land use change and conversion fees, as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) payments.
The announcement was made by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to Olayinka, the crackdown will focus on owners who have ignored payments for ground rent and other statutory fees, or who have not regularised property transfers through the required Minister’s consent and deed registration.
He noted that Wike had earlier offered some relief. On May 26, 2025, after President Bola Tinubu’s intervention, a 14-day window was given for defaulters to clear their outstanding payments, including accumulated penalties.
He also referenced subsequent notices published on September 8, 9, and 10, 2025, in print and online media announcing updates to the Land Use/Purpose Clause for properties within the FCT.
These notices provided a 30-day window for concerned property owners to pay violation penalties of ₦5 million and other applicable charges for land use changes or conversions.
“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 in the Federal Capital City (FCC), a final grace period of 14 days to comply with the terms and conditions of the approval for land use change and conversion,” Olayinka said.
He added that enforcement will officially begin on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
“Consequently, the FCTA will from Wednesday, November 26, 2025, commence enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payment and Land Use Change/Conversion fee as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills,” he stated.
The planned operation, he said, will also extend to individuals who acquired property but have failed to formalise ownership by securing the Minister’s consent and registering their deeds of assignment.
