FCT Minister Wike grants final 14-Day grace for Abuja property violators to Pay N5m fee

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has given property owners in Abuja who violated land use regulations a final 14-day window to pay a N5 million penalty. The move targets those who converted residential buildings to commercial use without approval.

Earlier in September, affected property owners were fined and given 30 days to regularise their titles.

According to a statement on Sunday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s senior special assistant on public communications and social media, the original 30-day period has expired, prompting the minister to approve an additional 14-day grace period starting Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

“Failure to comply within the stated 14-calendar-day grace period will result in enforcement actions by the FCT Administration,” the statement warned.

The affected areas include prominent locations in Abuja such as Gana Street and Usuma Street in Maitama; Yakubu Gowon Crescent in Asokoro; Aminu Kano Crescent and Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse II; Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Gimbiya Street, and Onitsha Street in Garki II; as well as Ogbomosho Street, Lafia Close, Yola Street, Abriba Close, Danbatta Street, Ringim Close, and Ilorin Street in Garki I.

Olayinka added that property owners who comply and regularise their land use will be eligible for new title documents, including Statutory Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy, reflecting the updated land use for a fresh 99-year term.

He clarified that this exercise does not cover properties previously revoked for non-development, non-payment of ground rent, or other infractions.

Notable affected owners include former APC national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, ex-Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Supreme Court justices Atanda Fatai-Williams and Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.