Minister Wike grants land titles, waives fees for traditional rulers

As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the government and traditional institutions, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on Friday presented land allocation documents to members of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers in Abuja.

During the meeting, Wike announced a full waiver of all statutory fees for the land titles, saying the move was in line with directives from President Bola Tinubu.

The minister highlighted the importance of recognising the historical presence of indigenous communities within the FCT, noting that past legal frameworks may not have fully acknowledged original ownership.

“We cannot deny the fact that there are indigenous people who were here before the creation of the FCT,” Wike said, adding, “If those who make peace cannot be appreciated with land, who should be?”

Wike also commended the traditional rulers for their role in ensuring the recent Area Council elections were the most peaceful in FCT history. To support their duties further, he pledged to provide utility vehicles for all monarchs within the territory.

He stressed that it would be “unfair” to require traditional rulers to pay large sums for land titles on properties they have inhabited for generations.

In addition to land administration, Wike outlined several ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at developing satellite towns. These include the dualization of the Airport-Kuje road, the Bwari-Zuba link road, projects in Apo/Karshi and Basan Jiwa, and the completion of the Gbazango road network.

Speaking on behalf of the Council, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, pledged the continued support of traditional institutions for the administration’s policies.

These initiatives reflect the FCT administration’s commitment to balancing development with respect for the rights and heritage of indigenous communities.