“Owners of Revoked Land Titles Can Appeal for Reinstatement” — FCTA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that owners of the 4,794 land titles recently revoked in Abuja over decades of unpaid ground rents can appeal for reinstatement. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Lands at the FCTA, disclosed this following a meeting chaired by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

On Monday, the FCTA revoked thousands of land titles after identifying non-payment of ground rents stretching over 40 years. The decision affects a wide range of titleholders, including government agencies, private organisations, and individuals. Notable institutions on the list include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.), Corn Oil, Boron Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company.

Nwankwoeze emphasized that affected individuals and organisations can write to the minister to request a review of their case. He said the minister may choose to reinstate a title, possibly with conditions, or uphold the revocation, particularly in cases where warnings were previously issued and ignored.

He further stated that while the administration had provided necessary infrastructure, failure by landowners to fulfil their own obligations hampers effective city management. The FCTA also warned that it would eventually take possession of properties built on the affected plots if issues remain unresolved.

Nwankwoeze urged all land title holders who have not paid their ground rents to do so promptly, especially those in districts within Phase II of the capital city, including Gudu, Utako, Mabushi, Jabi, Daki-biyu, Katampe, Katampe Extension, and Kado.