FCTA to begin sealing, revoking properties over unpaid fees next week

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced a massive enforcement drive, targeting property owners in default of ground rents, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) payments, and land use conversion fees.

Speaking after the first FCTA Executive Council meeting of 2026, chaired by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the administration will begin sealing properties and revoking titles as early as next week.

Nwankwoeze noted that the primary focus will be on properties that have been illegally converted from residential to commercial use in high profile areas like Aminu Kano Crescent and Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse, as well as several streets in Garki Areas 7 and 8.

He explained that while the FCTA has analysed these areas and agreed to formalize the conversions in line with planning standards, many title holders have failed to pay the required fees.

“Land was given for residential purposes, but you converted it to a bank. You are collecting money from banks every day, but you don’t want to pay the FCTA its due,” Nwankwoeze said, adding that “Ground rents for commercial purposes are different from residential. You must pay for that conversion and the adjusted annual ground rents. There will be no ‘sacred cows’ in Phase 1 and 2.”

The director warned that the 2026 exercise will be more comprehensive than the 2025 enforcement, which focused primarily on ground rents.

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