Wike’s Abuja Land Reforms Target Prominent Defaulters
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to 3,273 land allottees in the Maitama District of Abuja, including high-profile figures like Yusuf and Zahra Buhari (children of former President Muhammadu Buhari), Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of Staff to the President), Abbas Tajudeen (Speaker of the House of Representatives), and several former governors and lawmakers. The FCTA threatens to revoke their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) if they fail to settle their outstanding payments within two weeks.
This ultimatum comes as the FCTA continues its infrastructural development projects in Maitama II District (Cadastral Zone A10), and is demanding payment for the right of occupancy bills from allottees. The failure to comply with this notice, according to the FCTA, will result in the withdrawal of their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) and the subsequent reallocation of the land plots.
Prominent Names Among Defaulters
The list of affected allottees reads like a roll call of Nigeria’s political elite. Among them are key government officials, serving ministers, and former lawmakers. Notable figures include:
- Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President
- Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives
- George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
- Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior
- Bukola Saraki, Former Senate President
- Yakubu Dogara, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Ovie Omo-Agege, Former Deputy Senate President
- Theodore Orji, Former Governor of Abia State
- Rochas Okorocha, Former Governor of Imo State
- Ibikunle Amosun, Former Governor of Ogun State
- Ibrahim Shekarau, Former Governor of Kano State
Several serving and former lawmakers also face the risk of losing their land titles, including Dino Melaye, Ben Bruce, and Stella Oduah, as well as business figures such as Dangote Refinery.
A Push for Accountability
The FCTA, in its statement, said it was conducting a comprehensive overhaul of the land administration system in the capital to eradicate corruption, reduce speculation, and streamline bureaucratic processes. The administration emphasized that unpaid land fees have hindered its ability to finance critical infrastructure projects.
In August, the FCTA introduced a four-month grace period for all landholders to pay their outstanding fees or face the loss of their land titles under the Land Use Act. The FCTA noted that landholders’ failure to meet their obligations had delayed real estate development and the completion of much-needed infrastructure in Abuja.
Minister Nyesom Wike’s Reforms
Since assuming office, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has introduced several reforms aimed at sanitizing the land allocation process in the capital. These reforms include setting the cost of obtaining a C-of-O at ₦5 million and creating a four-month payment window for landholders. The minister has also moved to eliminate the practice of multiple land allocations to different individuals, often based on forged documents.
Minister Wike explained that these measures, though unpopular among wealthy landowners, were essential for ensuring equitable land distribution and infrastructure development. He stressed that the administration’s priority is the public good, even if it means upsetting some influential individuals who have benefited from the previous flawed system.
“The rich will kick against some of our decisions, but anything that will help our people must be done,” Wike said.
To ensure transparency and curb fraud, the minister announced plans to link National Identification Numbers (NIN) to C-of-O applications, thus ensuring only genuine landholders receive legal documentation.
A Call to Action
The FCTA’s ultimatum is clear: allottees have two weeks to clear their outstanding bills or risk losing their land plots. This notice serves as a warning to all landholders, both private and corporate, that failure to comply will result in severe consequences, including the loss of valuable property in one of Abuja’s most sought-after districts.
The reforms introduced by Minister Wike are part of broader efforts to bring accountability, reduce land speculation, and attract serious developers to the capital, all while providing long-term security to investors and developers.
As Abuja continues to grow, the FCTA is determined to ensure that land administration is transparent, efficient, and free from the corruption that has plagued it in the past. For now, the ball is in the court of the landholders—prominent or otherwise—who must act swiftly to protect their investments.
Social Media Reactions:
- “Buhari’s children and top politicians can’t even pay their land bills? Abuja land reforms are long overdue!” – @truthseekerNG
- “Good job by Wike. Time to clear out the speculators and clean up Abuja’s land system. #AccountabilityMatters” – @NigeriaWatchdog
- “How did we get here? Top officials holding onto prime land without paying a dime. FCTA is right to act.” – @Patriot_Voice
- “Two weeks? That’s pretty generous considering the billions these politicians owe! #LandReformNow” – @LagosConvo
- “About time someone called out these elites for not paying their dues. Kudos to the FCTA!” – @NaijaEyeWitness
- “Dangote Refinery on the list too? Interesting. Let’s see how this plays out. #FCTALandScandal” – @MarketWatchNG
- “FCTA taking no prisoners. Revoking C-of-Os if they don’t pay up. Major shake-up coming. 🔥” – @InsideAbuja
- “Finally, the FCTA is tackling the land speculators who’ve been stalling development in Abuja.” – @PolicyReviewNG
- “Wike is making waves in Abuja. Time for those owing the government to pay their dues. 💪 #LandReform” – @AbujaPulse
- “If you can’t pay for the land, it should go to someone who can. Plain and simple. #GoodGovernance” – @CityTalkerNG
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