President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 14-day grace period for defaulters of ground rent payments within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, offering a temporary reprieve to property owners facing revocation of their titles.

The intervention by the President comes on the heels of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) move to commence the reclamation of 4,794 properties over unpaid ground rent. The affected properties include prominent institutions such as the PDP Secretariat, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), as well as various commercial banks and hotels.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, revealed the penalties associated with the default, emphasizing that property owners in the Central Area will face a N5 million penalty in addition to the rent owed. Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay a penalty of N3 million, while defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will incur a N2 million penalty—each amount exclusive of the outstanding ground rent.

Mr. Nwankwoeze further urged individuals who have acquired properties through secondary ownership but have yet to register their interests to immediately obtain the Minister’s Consent and register their Deeds of Assignment within the 14-day window at the FCT Department of Land Administration.

Additionally, the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has extended the grace period to all property owners who are yet to settle their Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy charges. Failure to comply within the given period may result in the revocation of property titles.