The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the ownership of 762 plots of land in the Maitama 1 District of Abuja due to the failure of allottees to pay statutory fees. This decisive action was taken under the authority of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the minister to revoke rights of occupancy for non-compliance with financial obligations or breaches of allocation terms.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has further issued a stern ultimatum to an additional 614 individuals and organizations. They have been given two weeks to settle their outstanding Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) fees or risk losing their plots. The administration emphasized its stance in an official notice:
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn.”
Prominent figures and organizations featured among those affected include the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and former governors Rochas Okorocha and Ben Ayade. Also on the list are Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen.
Minister Wike, who took office in August 2023, has been unwavering in his pledge to enforce proper land administration and urban planning in the FCT. In a previous statement, he reiterated his commitment to implementing reforms regardless of opposition from influential groups:
“When we make the right decision, some people will be happy, and some will not. The rich will kick against some of our decisions, but anything that will help our people must be done,” he remarked during an earlier land revocation exercise.
This latest move underscores Wike’s determination to instill compliance with land-use regulations and ensure accountability in Abuja’s urban development. The affected parties now face the challenge of regularizing their payments to retain their land rights, while others may lose valuable property if the ultimatum is not met.