By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will from next Wednesday, November 26, 2025, commence enforcement action on defaulters of Ground Rent payment and Land Use Change/Conversion fee as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

The FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

Recall that on May 26, 2025, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, granted defaulters on ground rent 14 days grace to pay up their outstanding ground rent, with associated penalties.

Also, publications were made on Monday 8th September 2025, Tuesday 9th September 2025, and Wednesday 10th September 2025, in some national dailies and online platforms, on the reviewed Land Use/Purpose Clause of properties in the FCT, giving 30 days for the payment of penalty/violation fee of ₦5 million and other applicable fees for Land Use Change/Conversion.

Another public notice was published in national newspapers as well as online platforms, and aired on television and radio stations, granting defaulters of the land use/purpose clause of properties in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse districts in the Federal Capital City (FCC), a final grace period of 14 days to comply with the terms and conditions of the approval for land use change and conversion.

The 14 days grace on payment of Ground Rent expired on June 9, 2025, more than five months ago, while the 14 days extension on the land use/purpose clause will end on Monday, November 24, 2025.

Consequently, the FCTA will from Wednesday, November 26, 2025, commence enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payment and Land Use Change/Conversion fee as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

The enforcement will also include all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has asked investors to take advantage of the stable policies, modern infrastructure, and the safe, well-planned environment in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to grow their investment in Africa.

The minister, who was speaking at the 2025 Nigeria–Hong Kong–China Business Summit held at the Hong Kong International Conference Centre, noted that business climate the of Abuja remains conducive for enterprise growth.

Mahmoud, further reaffirmed the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment, under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike, to fostering a business-friendly ecosystem that attracts investments in manufacturing, logistics, and innovation.

She commended the summit’s organisers for crafting a unique platform that bridges continents by linking ideas, investors, policymakers, and innovators.

While highlighting the summit’s theme, “Tapping Nigeria’s Potential: Strategies for Becoming a Leading Manufacturing and Industrial Hub of Africa, The Natural Resources Supply Chain,” Mahmoud underscored Nigeria’s ambitious pivot from a resource-dependent economy towards one driven by production, exports, and value addition.

According to her, “Nigeria possesses abundant natural endowments, strategic geography, and a vibrant, entrepreneurial population.

“What is needed now are robust international partnerships to enhance technology transfer, infrastructure growth, and industrial integration along our natural resources supply chain.”

She also applauded the Nigeria of the Year Awards, for recognizing exemplary Nigerians who have championed excellence in business, governance, and innovation, inspiring confidence in Nigeria’s boundless potential.

The Minister expressed hope that the engagements would yield tangible partnerships, strengthen Nigeria-Asia relations, catalyse industrial development, and promote sustainable prosperity.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has tasked solid waste management contractors in the FCT to ensure an immediate improvement in sanitation in the FCT, warning that excuses would not be tolerated.

Barr. Wike stated this at the weekend, in Abuja, when he had an interactive meeting with 54 solid waste cleaning contractors who were recently awarded waste cleaning contracts in the FCT.

Addressing the contractors, Barr. Wike emphasized the critical importance of effective waste management to the FCT and announced that a Task Force would be set up immediately to monitor the contractors’ operations, adding that future payments would be subject to satisfactory performance.

According to the Minister, “Management of waste is a very difficult job. So, I want to plead with you to see it that you are carrying out an assignment for the development of our capital city.

“So please help us to keep the city clean. It’s a job that you applied for, nobody forced you. I assure you that your payment is not a problem. Do the job as required and do it very well. There will be no favouritism. Your job is what will speak for you and you must get the job done”, the Minister stressed.

He warned that he will not hesitate to terminate the contract of any cleaning company if refuse is sighted in their allocated zone.

“This will not be business as usual. You must work during the weekend and have a special team to evacuate waste”, Barr. Wike directed. He further mandated the Director of Procurement to carry out immediate checks to ascertain the capacity of companies allocated more than one operational site, stating that excuses related to bad equipment would no longer be accepted.

“Those who are given more than one slot, we have to know what capacity they have. If you are allocated two sites, we will not accept excuses of bad equipment. You cannot go and apply for jobs for two areas when you don’t have the capacity to deliver. We don’t want any area to be left behind. We want everywhere to be clean”, he stated.

Barr. Wike further urged residents to also provide feedback to the government on the contractors’ performance, assuring residents that their feedback matters in ensuring payments.

Responding to an appeal by the contractors for the payment of outstanding eight months arrears, the Minister observed that some areas, particularly parts of Asokoro, were not serviced by the contractors for periods in the past. He said that the outstanding eight months payments would be processed, but clarified that payment would be done strictly on merit.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr. Felix Obuah, confirmed that 54 successful contractors were selected from over 500 applicants, adding that the companies have been duly issued letters of award and assigned different beats across the FCT.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Ibrahim Babayo, thanked the Minister for the audience and urged his colleagues to heed the warnings, while also pledging the contractors’ commitment to ensuring a clean FCT.