WIKE GRANTS FINAL 14-DAY GRACE PERIOD FOR LAND USE VIOLATORS IN HIGHBROW ABUJA DISTRICTS
By: Wisdom Acka
In a move blending stern policy with leniency, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has granted property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse districts a final 14-day window to regularize their land use violations or face enforcement.
Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, approved the grace period effective Tuesday, November 11, 2025 for defaulters to pay a N5 million violation fee and other applicable charges for unauthorized land use conversions.
The announcement was contained in a press release issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
Abuja Digest recalls that the FCT Administration had earlier issued public notices on September 8th–10th, 2025, warning property owners on 15 key streets, including Yakubu Gowon Crescent (Asokoro), Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent (Wuse II), and Ladoke Akintola Boulevard (Garki II), to pay the penalty within 30 days.
The press release reveals that with expiration of the deadline a month ago, the Minister was magnanimous in offering this extension as the last chance for compliance.
“Failure to meet this 14-day ultimatum will trigger enforcement actions,”the statement warns.
The statement advises defaulters to leave no room for further delays, instructing them to pay the N5 million violation fee and other charges by visiting the Department of Land Administration with original title documents and valid ID.
They are also advised collect their letters of conveyance of approval, detailing the new land use terms.
In a surprising incentive, Wike approved new Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for compliant owners, reflecting updated land use for another 99 years. However, this excludes properties already revoked for non-development or unpaid ground rents, the statement stated.
