Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, NIGERIA – Property owners in high-profile districts of the Federal Capital Territory have been given a final 14-day grace period to pay a statutory N5 million penalties for unlawful land use conversion or face strict enforcement measures.
The directive was issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a statement released on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media, Lere Olayinka.
The penalty applies to property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse found to have violated approved land use terms by converting residential properties to commercial use without authorisation.
“The Minister has granted a final 14-day grace period for all defaulters to comply with the terms of land use change and conversion,” the statement read. “Failure to comply will result in enforcement actions by the FCT Administration.”
The new compliance window runs from Tuesday, November 11 to November 25, 2025.
The decision follows an earlier directive on September 3, 2025, in which the Minister approved a N5 million penalty and an additional 7.5 per cent charge on the Assessed Capital Value of properties irregularly converted without approval. Subsequently, the FCTA published the names of 374 affected property owners and urged immediate compliance.
According to Olayinka, property owners who regularise within the deadline will receive updated title documents, including a fresh 99-year Statutory Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy.
“However, this opportunity does not apply to lands revoked due to non-development, unpaid ground rent, or legally forfeited properties,” he clarified.
Affected locations include Gana and Usuma Streets in Maitama; Yakubu Gowon Crescent in Asokoro; Aminu Kano and Adetokunbo Ademola Crescents in Wuse II; and major boulevards and closes across Garki I and II.
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