Abuja launches ground rent enforcement drive across high-end districts

Thursday 27th November 2025

by inAfrika Newsroom

Abuja ground rent enforcement begins today as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) rolls out one of its toughest crackdowns on property fee defaulters in recent years. From Wednesday, task teams will target owners who have failed to pay statutory charges, including ground rent, land-use conversion fees and outstanding Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy bills.

The move follows multiple public notices and grace periods issued since May, when President Bola Tinubu intervened and granted a 14-day extension for payment of arrears. The enforcement will cover prime districts such as Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse, where many high-value properties have accumulated years of unpaid obligations or changed use from residential to commercial without approval. Defaulters face property sealing, legal action and possible repossession where titles have already been revoked.

Officials say improved compliance is vital to boost internally generated revenue and clean up land records, which have been distorted by unregistered sales and missing documentation. The exercise will also target buyers who acquired properties without obtaining the Minister’s consent or registering their deeds of assignment. Abuja ground rent enforcement teams are expected to move street by street, working with the Abuja Geographic Information System to verify records and issue on-the-spot notices.

Next steps for Abuja ground rent enforcement campaign

The FCTA plans to publish lists of affected properties and provide dedicated help-desks at AGIS offices so owners can check outstanding balances and regularise documents. Authorities say there will be no further extensions after today’s start date. Over the coming months, Abuja ground rent enforcement data will feed into a broader review of land-use planning, with the goal of tightening controls on speculative holdings and unapproved conversions across the capital.

Why it matters for Africa

A credible Abuja ground rent enforcement drive could become a reference point for African cities struggling to raise local revenues and enforce urban planning rules. When property owners pay statutory fees on time, city authorities can invest more in roads, drainage, public transport and basic services. Better records and transparent sanctions also reduce room for corruption in land allocations. At the same time, enforcement must protect legitimate buyers who inherited paperwork gaps, offering clear pathways to regularise titles. How Abuja balances firmness with fairness will shape investor confidence, housing supply and governance debates across the region.