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Tinubu, Top Officials, Agencies Named As FCTA Issues Final Ground Rent Payment Deadline

Published

2 months ago

Oct 29, 2024.

The Federal Government has warned it may revoke land titles of key government officials, agencies, state governments, and top commercial banks, including President Bola Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, if outstanding ground rent payments are not settled within two weeks.

On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) published a list of over 9,000 ground rent defaulters, demanding immediate payment of 2023 dues.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the announcement emphasized that title holders must comply with statutory obligations outlined in the Rights of Occupancy, requiring annual rent payment from January 1 of each year. Failure to meet this two-week deadline could result in revocation of land titles.

Among notable figures cited in the publication are former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, and ex-Federal Commissioner of Internal Affairs Umaru Shinkafi.

Also listed are former Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, and Donald Duke of Cross River.

FCTA Ground Rent

The list of owing government entities includes the Federal Housing Authority, Ministries of Agriculture, Commerce, Environment, Finance, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, as well as state lodges of Imo, Lagos, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Bauchi, Delta, Kaduna, and Kogi.

In November 2023, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike extended the ground rent deadline until December 14, warning that land titleholders who failed to comply would face consequences. According to FCT Director of Information Muhammad Sule, the FCTA aims to collect approximately N30 billion from these outstanding payments.