Nigeria Issues Ultimatum to Foreign Embassies in Abuja to Settle $5.36 Million in Unpaid Ground Rents

The Nigerian Government has given a two-week notice to 43 foreign embassies and diplomatic houses in Abuja, the capital city, to settle outstanding ground rents totaling $5.36 million. This directive was issued through an advertorial published by the Federal Capital Territory Administration in the Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, titled ‘Re: Final Notice on Payment of Outstanding Ground Rent in the FCT.’

The notice warns that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe could lead to the revocation of rent titles in Abuja for defaulting embassies. Among the affected institutions are prominent foreign entities such as the British High Commission, South African High Commission, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, and the Embassy of Japan.

This move follows a similar directive given by the FCTA to organizations in Abuja last September, emphasizing the obligation of property owners to pay annual rents promptly. The notice, signed by the Permanent Secretary in the FCT, Mr. Olusade Adesola, reiterated the consequences of non-compliance, stating that failure to settle outstanding ground rents within two weeks would result in the revocation of titles.

The affected foreign embassies and diplomatic houses include a diverse range of nations, such as the Embassy of the Republic of Senegal, US Embassy for Peace, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Embassy of Turkey, Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Embassy of Algeria, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of France (French School), Embassy of Niger Republic, Embassy of Indonesia, Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Embassy of the (Peoples) Republic of Angola, Embassy of Belgium, Embassy of Tunisia, Embassy of Palestine Liberation Organisation, Royal Thai Embassy, Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic Of Venezuela, Embassy of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, Embassy of Democratic Republic of Congo, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Embassy of Italy, German Embassy, Embassy of Russian Federation, Embassy of Thailand, Embassy of the Republic of Togo in Nigeria, Consulate of the Republic of Yemen, Cameroon High Commission, and Zambia High Commission.