Wike gives Abuja property owners 14 days to pay N5m land-use violation fine
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a final 14-day ultimatum to property owners in Abuja who violated land-use regulations to pay a fine of N5 million each or face enforcement actions. The directive, released through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), applies to owners who converted their residential buildings to commercial purposes without official approval.
According to the FCTA, the affected properties are located in high-value districts including Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, and Garki. These areas have seen a surge in property misuse where houses meant for residential occupation have been turned into hotels, restaurants, clubs, and offices. The administration noted that such practices distort the city’s master plan and place pressure on infrastructure and public utilities.
This directive follows earlier notices issued to the defaulters in September, giving them 30 days to regularize their property documents and pay the fine. However, many failed to comply within the initial deadline. Wike has now approved an additional 14-day grace period, emphasizing that this is the final opportunity for offenders to settle their fines and update their property records.
The minister further warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time will lead to the sealing, demolition, or outright revocation of affected properties. He reiterated that the FCTA will not tolerate any unauthorized land-use conversions and intends to maintain strict adherence to Abuja’s urban development laws.
The statement added that compliant property owners will be eligible for new certificates of occupancy reflecting the approved use of their property for a 99-year term. However, those whose titles have already been revoked for other reasons such as non-development or unpaid ground rent will not benefit from this regularization process.
