FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister,Mr.Nyesom Wike has introduced stringent penalties for land use violations, approving a N5 million fine for allottees and title holders who breach the Land Use Act, to be paid within 30 days.
Additionally, a 7.5% charge on the assessed capital value of properties converted without FCT administration approval was imposed, also due within 30 days.
The measures, announced on Tuesday,September 2,2025,follow a report from the Land Use and Purposes Clause Committee, are intended to curb unauthorised land use changes in the FCT.
Wike emphasised the need for compliance, stating, “I am not going to leave anybody to go free. We are looking for money to carry on projects. If you don’t want [to comply], we will take back your title, we will sell it, and we will still raise money.”
He highlighted widespread violations, noting, “People believing they can do anything without approval from government have changed residential to commercial, some have changed commercial to residential, and some have changed for all kinds of mixed uses.”
Chairman of the committee and Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, reported significant violations in areas like Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Aminu Kano Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Street, and Gana Street.
“Those properties have been converted to residential, commercial, or mixed usage, contravening the original agreements,” Galadima said, adding that the total capital value of the affected properties reached N1,037,478,716,500.
Galadima outlined the committee’s recommendations, stating, “Allottees/title holders of land and properties affected by the land use change/conversion must pay within 30 days from the date of conveyance of approval, including a land use conversion fee of 7.5% of the assessed capital value.”
He also recommended penalties for illegal extensions, mergers, or subdivisions, including a 2.0% fee on the assessed capital value, alongside potential sanctions like property sealing, structure removal, or title revocation for non-compliance.
The measures underscore the FCT administration’s push to enforce land use regulations while generating revenue for development projects.
