The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of Ground Rent for over 40 years.

This decision affects property owners in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts.

A staggering 8,375 property owners owe N6,967,980,119 in unpaid Ground Rent, with 4,794 of these titles in default for 10 years or more. The FCT Administration had repeatedly called on defaulters to pay their outstanding bills since 2023, but received little response.

According to Chijioke Nwankwoeze, FCTA Director of Lands, payment of Ground Rent is mandatory under the Land Use Act, and property owners who fail to pay will face revocation of their titles.

A 21-day grace period has been granted to title holders who owe Ground Rent for between one and ten years to settle their debts.

This move is seen as a crackdown on defaulting property owners and an effort to recover owed revenue.