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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled a sweeping enforcement initiative targeting property owners who have fallen behind on ground rents, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) payments, and land conversion fees.
Announcing the plan following the first FCTA Executive Council meeting of 2026, chaired by Minister Nyesom Wike on Wednesday, Director of Land Administration Chijioke Nwankwoeze said the crackdown could begin as early as next week.
“We are prepared to seal properties and, where necessary, revoke titles of non-compliant owners,” he warned.
The campaign will prioritize properties that were illegally converted from residential to commercial use, particularly in prime locations such as Aminu Kano Crescent, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse, and parts of Garki Areas 7 and 8.
Nwankwoeze stressed that while the FCTA has plans to formalize these conversions according to urban planning standards, many property owners have yet to settle the requisite fees.
“Land allocated for residential purposes cannot be transformed into commercial spaces without meeting the proper obligations.
“If you operate a bank or business on this land, you are expected to pay the associated conversion charges and adjusted ground rents,” Nwankwoeze explained.
He further emphasized that there will be “no exceptions” during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the enforcement.
According to the FCTA, the 2026 exercise will be broader and stricter than last year’s, which mainly focused on overdue ground rents.
Property owners are being urged to regularize their payments promptly to avoid penalties.