FCTA to Begin Full Enforcement Against Property Fee Defaulters November 26th
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will begin a comprehensive enforcement operation on 26 November 2025 targeting property owners who have failed to settle statutory land administration fees, including ground rent, land-use change charges, conversion fees, and pending Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) payments. The directive was announced by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Background to the Enforcement Drive
According to Olayinka, the exercise focuses on residents and investors who have either defaulted on mandatory fees or acquired properties without completing the legal processes required for ownership regularisation. These include obtaining the Minister’s consent and registering deeds of assignment.
The FCTA’s renewed stance follows President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in May 2025, after which Minister Wike approved a 14-day grace period for payment of outstanding ground rent and associated penalties. The Administration subsequently issued further notices between 8 and 10 September 2025, outlining revised land-use provisions across the Federal Capital Territory.
Repeated Notices and Penalty Regime
The FCTA stated that multiple public notices were disseminated through national newspapers, online platforms, radio, and television, giving a 30-day deadline for the settlement of violation fees. These include a ₦5 million penalty for land-use conversion or change infractions.
A separate final warning was issued to property owners in key districts such as Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse, giving them an additional 14 days to comply with approved land-use classifications.
Scope of Enforcement
Olayinka confirmed that from 26 November 2025, enforcement teams will take action against:
Property owners who have yet to pay statutory charges
Individuals who purchased properties but have not registered ownership
Owners who failed to obtain the legally required Minister’s consent
Properties that violate approved land-use classifications
He stressed that the enforcement is central to strengthening Abuja’s urban governance, raising internally generated revenue, and ensuring adherence to land administration regulations.
Outlook
The Administration maintains that sustained compliance is essential for improving service delivery, maintaining planned development patterns, and preventing distortions within Abuja’s land-use framework. With full enforcement set to begin, industry stakeholders anticipate increased efforts by property owners to regularise outstanding obligations and avoid sanctions.
