FCTA Enforces Ground Rent Compliance, Seals China Cultural Centre And NAPTIP Headquarters In Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has taken decisive action to enforce compliance with land use regulations by sealing the China Cultural Centre and the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Zone 5, Abuja, on 26 May 2025. The closures, part of a broader crackdown on unpaid ground rent, were prompted by the failure of the respective property owners to settle outstanding dues, with the China Cultural Centre owing 19 years of ground rent and NAPTIP’s headquarters similarly defaulting for decades.
The FCTA’s enforcement follows a public announcement on 23 May 2025, where officials, including the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, and the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, outlined plans to reclaim 4,794 properties across prime districts such as Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki. The China Cultural Centre, officially allocated to JADE GARDEN RESTAURANT Nigeria Limited, was sealed due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 19 years, while NAPTIP’s headquarters faced closure for comparable violations.
Ground rent, a statutory annual fee required for the right to occupy and use land in the Federal Capital Territory, has been a longstanding issue, with 8,375 property owners collectively owing approximately ₦6.97 billion, some dating back over 40 years. The FCTA, acting under the authority of the Land Use Act of 1978, has revoked the titles of defaulting properties and initiated physical takeovers to ensure fiscal discipline and compliance with land regulations.
The operation, led by the Department of Development Control and the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), saw FCTA officials padlock the entrances of the affected properties on Monday afternoon. The move is part of a broader effort to recover debts owed to the government, with prior notices issued since 2023 urging property owners to clear their arrears. The FCTA has clarified that no court injunctions prevent these actions, and the administration remains committed to enforcing ownership rights over revoked properties.
This enforcement campaign has also seen other high-profile properties, including an Access Bank branch, a Total petrol station, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office in Wuse, sealed for similar violations, with some owing ground rent for up to 34 years. The FCTA’s actions signal a robust commitment to upholding land use laws and ensuring public revenue recovery, contributing to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s capital city.
The closures have sparked discussions about the importance of fiscal responsibility among property owners in Abuja. While some stakeholders have expressed concerns about the impact on operations, the FCTA maintains that compliance with ground rent obligations is non-negotiable. As the administration continues its crackdown, it has urged all property owners to settle outstanding dues promptly to avoid further revocations and closures.