By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will, from next week Wednesday, November 26, 2025, commence a clampdown on defaulters of ground rent payment and land use change conversion fees, as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, made this known in a statement on Thursday.
Recall that on May 26, 2025, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, granted ground rent defaulters a 14-day grace period to pay up their outstanding ground rent, with associated penalties.
Furthermore, publications were made on Monday, 8th September 2025; Tuesday, 9th September 2025; and Wednesday, 10th September 2025, in some national dailies and online platforms, on the reviewed Land Use/Purpose Clause of properties in the FCT, giving 30 days for the payment of a penalty/violation fee of 5 million and other applicable fees for land use change conversion.
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.
The 14-day grace period on payment of ground rent expired on June 9, 2025, more than five months ago, while the 14-day extension on the land use/purpose clause will end on Monday, November 24, 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.
The enforcement will also include all those who purchased properties from other people but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment, the statement read.
