Daniel Otera
More than a dozen high-profile buildings across Abuja including a branch of Access Bank, a Total petrol station, and the headquarters of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have been sealed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), as the government begins an aggressive recovery of outstanding ground rents dating back as far as 43 years.
The FCTA on Monday began enforcing a sweeping repossession of properties that have failed to comply with ground rent obligations. The move, which has stunned both corporate and government circles, follows the revocation of land titles for thousands of allottees across the city’s most affluent districts.
Official documents reviewed by The Journal show that as of March 2025, a total of 8,375 property owners were in default, collectively owing the FCTA approximately ₦6.97 billion in ground rent. Many of these debts span decades, with some titles reportedly unpaid since the 1980s.
The crackdown began earlier this year when the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles in areas such as Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Guzape, and Garki. On March 18, the administration published the list of affected plots, warning that physical recovery of the properties would commence without further notice. By Monday, May 26, that warning became reality.
Among the first casualties of the enforcement drive was the FIRS office in Zone 5, which was sealed for failing to pay ground rent for 25 years. The premises were cordoned off by officials from the Department of Development Control, who also revoked the agency’s Right of Occupancy.
In Wuse Zone 6, the FCTA sealed off Access Bank’s branch and an adjoining Total filling station. Although the property is officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, documents show that the bank has been operating from the site for years without ground rent being paid since allocation.
A letter dated March 13, 2025, and signed by the FCT Director of Land Administration, Mr Chijioke Nwankwoeze, confirmed the revocation of the Right of Occupancy for Plot No. 2456 in Wuse I, citing non-payment of rent for 34 years.
“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property,” the letter stated.
Similarly, the Ibro Hotel, a landmark property in Zone 5, was sealed for 26 years of unpaid rent, according to FCTA officials who executed the order under tight security.
Ground rent, a statutory fee tied to land ownership in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is governed by the Land Use Act of 1978. According to Section 28(5) of the Act, the government has the legal authority to revoke a land title where a titleholder fails to fulfil the conditions of occupancy, such as the regular payment of ground rent. The law explicitly states:
“The Governor may revoke a right of occupancy for a breach of any of the provisions which a certificate of occupancy is by section 10 deemed to contain.”
Despite this legal framework, enforcement has been weak, often undermined by political influence, bureaucratic delays, and elite resistance.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Minister Wike maintained that the enforcement drive would continue “regardless of status or affiliation,” describing the backlog as “financial sabotage” against the development of the capital.
“These revocations were executed in accordance with Section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, which permits the government to reclaim land from titleholders who fail to meet the conditions of their occupancy rights,” Wike said.
Breakdown of the Crisis (2025 Figures)
Metric Value
Total properties owing rent 8,375
Land titles revoked so far 4,794
Estimated debt in arrears ₦6.97 billion
Longest default on record 43 years
Top affected districts Maitama, Wuse I & II, Garki, Asokoro and Guzape.
The sealing of properties has caused confusion for many residents and customers. At the Access Bank branch, customers were reportedly turned away on Monday morning, while staff tried to reach their head office for guidance.