More than 3,300 property owners—including high-profile government agencies, state liaison offices, and foreign embassies—are at risk of losing their land titles in the Federal Capital Territory after failing to pay statutory ground rents dating back up to a decade.
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With a 14-day ultimatum set to expire on Monday, June 16, 2025, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) may resume enforcement actions, including sealing defaulting properties and initiating revocation procedures.
According to a publication by the FCTA’s Department of Land Administration on June 2, 2024, debts owed by various entities have ballooned to over N24 billion for ground rents from 2014 to 2024.
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration hereby reminds allottees/title holders of their obligations ... to pay in advance without demand ... the Annual Ground Rent from the first date of January of each year.
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All who have not settled up to the Year 2024 are given fourteen (14) days from the date of this publication to pay their ground rents, to avoid revocation or withdrawal of title,” the notice read.
Among top defaulters are the Nigerian Navy (owing N5.2bn), the Federal High Court (N4.1bn), and the Department of Petroleum Resources (N1.5bn). State liaison offices from Lagos, Kwara, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Adamawa, Osun, and Enugu collectively owe over N7.15bn.
On the international front, embassies such as those of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Canada, and others appear on the list—though most owe relatively modest sums (N500 to N12,000), raising diplomatic concerns.
Enforcement teams began sealing properties of nearly 4,800 defaulters between May 10 and late May 2025, including prominent buildings like the PDP national secretariat and Federal Inland Revenue Service offices in Wuse.
Following presidential intervention, affected parties were granted a fresh 14-day grace period but face penalty fees of N2m to N3m depending on location. Sources indicate many institutions have since scrambled to settle arrears ahead of the June 16, 2025 deadline.
Several embassies have disputed their inclusion, claiming they had not been formally notified. The Russian Embassy insisted it pays all charges on time, while the German Embassy stated no formal demand was received.
The Ghanaian High Commission said it would liaise with the Foreign Affairs Ministry for clarification. Meanwhile, the FCTA’s Director of Land Administration had not responded to further inquiries as of filing.
Experts warn that failure to comply will lead to title revocation under the Land Use Act, triggering legal battles and potential diplomatic friction.
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Property holders in the FCT are urged to verify their payments immediately and engage with FCTA to avoid punitive measures. As the deadline looms, the FCTA stresses continued cooperation to safeguard investments and uphold statutory obligations.
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