The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has imposed a ₦5 million fine on property owners in Abuja who converted their buildings to other uses without securing the required approvals.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) gave affected owners 30 days to regularise their titles or face further sanctions.
Many of the listed properties, located in upscale districts including Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Garki, had been converted from residential to commercial use without authorisation.
“This is to notify the general public, particularly allottees and title holders of properties, that the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has approved a reviewed land use/purpose clause of properties on the underlisted streets/locations of the Federal Capital City,” the notice stated.
The directive requires property owners to pay the penalty at the Department of Land Administration in Abuja’s Central Business District, where they will obtain approval letters for the land use conversion.
Wike further approved the issuance of fresh statutory rights of occupancy and certificates of occupancy for a new 99-year term, provided all conditions are met.
However, the FCTA clarified that the measure does not cover properties previously revoked for non-development, non-payment of ground rent, or other violations.
Notable names on the list include former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, ex-Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Supreme Court Justices Atanda Fatai-Williams and Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
