Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has stepped up initiatives to collect overdue land fees in Abuja. He has provided a new two-week extension for the owners of 762 plots in the Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, to settle payments for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
This action is part of a wider effort to ensure compliance with land payment requirements in the FCT, where prominent individuals and organizations have experienced revocations as well.
In a statement released to Africa health report (AHR), on Friday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant for Public Communications and New Media, the minister stressed that the government’s aim is not to take away citizens’ land, but to ensure adherence to financial obligations.
“The government’s main priority is to guarantee payment, so a two-week grace period has been provided. As a result, the 762 allottees and 614 individuals with pending payments on Certificates of Occupancy will have until January 3, 2025, to settle their dues, or they will risk losing their Rights of Occupancy titles,” the statement stated.
The ultimatum follows a notice released on October 5, 2024, which named 3,273 defaulters. So far, 2,511 have met the requirements, leaving 762 still at risk of final revocation.
This development comes after Thursday’s significant decision to revoke land ownership from prominent individuals, such as former President Muhammadu Buhari, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, along with 759 others in Maitama II.
Wike also signaled potential action against other prominent individuals, such as Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and former Senate Presidents Iyorchia Ayu and Ameh Ebute, if outstanding fees are not settled within the two-week extension.
Wike cautioned that no additional extensions will be allowed after January 3, 2025, and the revocation of R-of-O titles for defaulters will be irrevocable. He referenced Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 as the legal foundation for his decisions.
This bold stance underscores the FCT Administration’s commitment to enhancing revenue collection and enforcing land use regulations in Nigeria’s capital.
