ABUJA, Nigeria — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has imposed a penalty of ₦5 million each on property owners in Abuja who converted their buildings from residential to commercial use without official approval.
The sanction, announced in a notice published in national newspapers on Monday, September 8, 2025, gives affected owners 30 days to regularise their titles with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
“This is to notify the general public, particularly allottees/title holders of properties, that the honourable minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), 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 (FCC),” the statement read.
“All affected allottees/holders of properties who, without approval, converted the land use of their properties on the above listed streets/locations, having violated the terms and conditions of grant of the right of occupancy, are hereby given thirty (30) days from Wednesday, 10 of September, 2025, to pay a penalty/violation fee of five million naira (N5,000,000.00).”
The notice added that property owners are required to present their original title documents and valid means of identification at the Department of Land Administration, Central Business District, for collection of new approval letters.
The updated titles will reflect the revised land use and include a fresh statutory right of occupancy and certificate of occupancy for a term of 99 years, once all conditions are fulfilled.
The affected properties are located in Abuja’s prime districts of Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Garki II, and Garki I.
However, the FCTA clarified that the new exercise does not apply to titles already revoked due to non-development, non-payment of ground rent, or other breaches.
Notable figures among those affected include Abdullahi Ganduje, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun State; Atanda Fatai-Williams and Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, both retired justices of the Supreme Court; and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Wike, since assuming office in 2023, has adopted an aggressive approach to urban planning and land administration in the capital, pledging to enforce compliance with the FCT masterplan.
The latest directive is seen as part of a broader effort to regulate Abuja’s rapid commercial expansion and restore order to its high-value districts.
