ABUJA, Nigeria — Thirty-four foreign embassies in Nigeria’s capital risk closure as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) moves to enforce ground rent payments that have reportedly been outstanding for more than a decade.
The embassies, alongside a handful of local institutions, were cited in a publication by the FCTA for defaulting on ground rents dating back to 2014.
The total debt accrued by the diplomatic missions stands at ₦3,662,196, according to the FCTA.
On Monday, May 26, 2025, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ordered the commencement of enforcement against 4,794 property owners whose rights were revoked for failing to meet ground rent obligations over periods ranging from 10 to 43 years.
President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting a 14-day grace period, which expires Monday, June 9, 2025.
Among the embassies listed are the Ghana High Commission Defence Section (₦5,950), Embassy of Thailand (₦5,350), Royal Netherlands Embassy (₦5,950), Embassy of Turkey (₦3,350), and the Embassy of the Russian Federation (₦1,100).
Other missions include those of Germany, Ireland, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
Some embassies have disputed the FCTA’s claims.
The Russian Embassy stated, “The Embassy pays all bills for the rent of the territory on which the Embassy complex is located in good faith and on time. The Embassy also has all necessary documents confirming payment.”
Similarly, the Turkish Embassy described its inclusion as a possible administrative error.
“We regularly make our payments on time… we will check if we are on the list because of a bureaucratic mistake or a misunderstanding, and will fix the issue as soon as possible,” a Turkish official said.
The German Embassy said it had not received any formal notification of outstanding obligations.
“All official financial obligations relating to the Embassy’s premises have been fully settled as of the end of 2024,” the mission said, adding that it remains committed to “transparency and mutual trust” with Nigerian authorities.
The Ghana High Commission also said it had not been formally contacted, but would liaise with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Sierra Leone mission noted it was unaware of the publication and would verify the information.
FCTA Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, disclosed that defaulters would be liable to penalty fees ranging from ₦2 million to ₦3 million, depending on location.
Responding to the denials from some embassies, FCT ministerial spokesperson Lere Olayinka said: “This claim will be promptly investigated and appropriate action will be taken.”
The situation has sparked diplomatic sensitivity, with some observers citing the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects the inviolability of diplomatic premises.
“Diplomatic missions must obey local municipal laws, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must handle this bilaterally and with caution,” said former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode.
“The premises of diplomatic missions are inviolable, but that does not exempt them from property regulations.”
Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju echoed the warning, stating: “By the Vienna Convention, diplomatic premises are sovereign territories of their countries. Any enforcement action, such as sealing or revocation, could trigger a diplomatic breach.”
Meanwhile, local institutions earlier listed — including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) — have reportedly settled their debts.
Sources confirmed that FIRS and NAPTIP resolved the matter following enforcement action, including temporary sealing of their Abuja offices.
Olayinka noted that because some payments are made online via Remita, verification relies on submission of payment receipts: “It’s until they bring their receipts that we can know.”
