Tinubu Intervenes to Halt Mass Property Revocations in Abuja, Grants 14-Day Grace Period to Ground Rent Defaulters

In a dramatic twist that has caught the attention of homeowners, businesses, and property developers across the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate halt to the sweeping revocations and sealings of properties in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) linked to unpaid ground rents. The presidential intervention, announced late Monday, offers a temporary lifeline to thousands of property owners who were on the brink of losing their titles after decades of default.

The announcement was made during a press briefing in Abuja by the Director of Land Administration in the FCT, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, who confirmed that enforcement actions began in earnest on May 26, 2025. According to Nwankwoeze, a total of 4,794 properties—ranging from residential units to commercial estates and government-owned structures—had been marked for revocation due to arrears spanning from 10 to as many as 43 years. The scale of the action triggered widespread panic and criticism, prompting a swift response from the presidency.

President Tinubu’s directive suspends the enforcement and grants a two-week reprieve, effective immediately, to allow defaulters to clear their debts and rectify documentation irregularities. “This presidential intervention demonstrates His Excellency’s commitment to justice and economic stability,” Nwankwoeze said. “Property owners now have 14 days to settle outstanding ground rents, pay applicable penalties, and complete required registrations to avoid losing their property rights.”

The halted operation had already begun affecting property owners in some of Abuja’s most affluent districts. In the Central Area, defaulters were slapped with a staggering N5 million penalty on top of their outstanding rent. In Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape, the penalty stood at N3 million, while those in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II faced a N2 million fine. These charges added to the already hefty backlogs have raised eyebrows over the FCT Administration’s handling of the situation.

Behind the crackdown is the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who defended the initial enforcement as a necessary step to restore order and accountability in the capital’s land management. Wike, known for his no-nonsense governance style, emphasized that the Administration was simply carrying out its legal mandate and that no one, regardless of status or affiliation, would be exempt from compliance. “The enforcement began in earnest, targeting thousands of properties,” he said, “including those owned by government institutions and private entities. We are committed to executing our duties without fear or favour.”

Yet even Wike acknowledged the significance of the president’s intervention. While reiterating the new 14-day deadline, he warned that non-compliance would lead to irrevocable consequences, including full revocation of land titles and legal proceedings. In a strongly worded statement, he urged property owners to treat the grace period as a final opportunity to regularize their holdings and support the Administration’s broader goals. “Timely payment of ground rent is not just a legal obligation—it’s a civic responsibility that enables us to carry out vital infrastructure and development projects that benefit every resident of the FCT,” the Minister said.

Beyond ground rent defaulters, the directive also impacts individuals who have purchased properties but failed to complete the mandatory registration process. These include obtaining the Minister’s Consent and registering Deeds of Assignment—legal requirements that officially transfer property ownership in the capital. Such unregistered transactions have long been a weak link in the FCT’s land administration, often leading to disputes and title fraud. The grace period now provides these individuals a narrow window to come clean and secure their investments.

The issue of ground rent has always been a sensitive one in Abuja’s real estate ecosystem. Many property owners claim they were unaware of their outstanding dues due to administrative bottlenecks, poor communication from the Land Administration, or unprocessed documentation dating back decades. Some allege that letters of demand were never delivered, while others say they inherited unregistered properties and have struggled with red tape ever since. While Wike has dismissed most of these claims as excuses, legal analysts argue that a blanket enforcement without adequate notification could expose the Administration to lawsuits and human rights criticisms.

Nonetheless, Tinubu’s decision to intervene has been hailed in many quarters as a balanced approach—one that enforces accountability while acknowledging the complexities many property owners face. Social commentators view the president’s move as a politically astute one, especially given the current economic climate where Nigerians are grappling with inflation, high living costs, and unstable income. “It’s a welcome move that shows the president is listening to the people,” said Femi Adegboye, an Abuja-based property lawyer. “But make no mistake—14 days is a very short time, and the government must ensure the payment and registration systems are efficient enough to handle the expected rush.”

Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has set up dedicated help desks and extended working hours at the Department of Land Administration to accommodate the influx of defaulters seeking to regularize their property documents. Officials have also urged the public to verify the authenticity of any third-party agents claiming to facilitate payments or registrations, warning that fraudulent actors are likely to exploit the situation.

As the deadline counts down, tension remains high among stakeholders in the real estate sector. Developers, agents, and landowners are racing against time to gather funds, process paperwork, and avoid losing what for many represents their life’s savings. The coming days will reveal whether this presidential grace period will be sufficient to bring thousands of property owners back into compliance—or merely postpone an inevitable reckoning in Abuja’s high-stakes land ownership saga.

One thing is certain: President Tinubu’s intervention has not only paused a looming crisis but also reignited the long-overdue conversation about reforming the FCT’s land management framework to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency for all.