FCTA to Begin Crackdown on Ground Rent and Land Use Defaulters November 26.
Recently, the Federal Capital Territory Association announced strict enforcement of ground rent payment to ensure compliance.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will begin strict enforcement against all defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Change/Conversion fees. They will also target outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills. This will start on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
This was disclosed on Thursday by Lere Olayinka. He serves as Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
DAILY POST reports that on May 26, 2025, Minister Wike granted a 14-day grace period for property owners following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention. They needed to clear their outstanding ground rent liabilities, including penalties.
Additionally, public notices were issued on September 8, 9, and 10, 2025. These were across national newspapers and online platforms regarding the reviewed Land Use/Purpose Clause in the FCT. The notices gave property owners 30 days to pay a N5 million violation penalty and other applicable fees. These fees relate to land use change or conversion.
A subsequent announcement broadcast on TV, radio, newspapers, and online platforms offered a final 14-day grace period. This was for defaulters in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse districts. They are required to comply with land use conversion regulations. That extension expires on Monday, November 24, 2025.
According to the FCTA, the initial 14-day Ground Rent payment window closed on June 9, 2025, over five months ago.
As enforcement begins next week, the Administration says action will also target individuals who bought properties from previous owners but failed to regularize ownership by securing the required Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment.
