FCTA to Enforce Ground Rent Payment, Other Charges Next Week

Defaulters of Ground Rent and other critical land fees in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) face enforcement actions starting next Wednesday, November 26.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announced the deadline on Thursday, November 20.

The enforcement will cover outstanding payments for Land Use Change/Conversion fees, Right of Occupancy (R-of-O), and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, according to Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media.

Persecondnews recalls that on May 26, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, granted defaulters on ground rent a 14-day grace period to pay up their outstanding ground rent with associated penalties.

Publications were also made on September 8, 9, and 10, in some national dailies and online platforms, regarding the reviewed Land Use/Purpose Clause of properties in the FCT, allowing 30 days for the payment of a penalty/violation fee of N5 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 days grace on payment of Ground Rent expired on June 9, 2025, more than five months ago, while the 14 days extension on the land use/purpose clause will end on Monday, November 24.

Consequently, the FCTA said it will from Wednesday, November 26, 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.