By Abubakar Yusuf
The appointment of Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ushered in significant opportunities to enhance the region’s neglected internally generated revenue (IGR).
The revival of ground rent payments, long overlooked by both public and private property owners, is set to substantially boost the FCT’s revenue, enabling crucial infrastructural developments and addressing other pressing needs.
With over 4,000 defaulters of ground rent, the enforcement measures being implemented are expected to yield an annual revenue of over 70 billion naira, which could facilitate vital infrastructural improvements in the nation’s capital.
Wike’s administration has turned the tide against those flouting the law, including individuals and corporate entities that have historically profited at the expense of government coffers.
Since the enforcement of ground rent payments began on May 26, 2025, it has become clear that compliance will enhance the revenue from the housing sector, impacting numerous public and private organisations.
The strategy, which includes locking government and party offices of defaulters, has sent a strong message to non-compliant residents, signalling that action is imminent.
The reforms within land administration are set to regularise the processing of land documents, ensuring that fees associated with allocations are duly collected.
With 445 Mass Housing allocations made, it is concerning that only two developers have met the necessary conditions, leaving a staggering 443 to operate outside the law. The administration is committed to rectifying this and generating revenue by ensuring proper registration and titling for buyers.
A new task force will also tackle the issue of unregistered estate developers operating in the capital without appropriate documentation, leading to improved registration and regularisation practices.
These reforms, which will take effect from April 21, 2025, will clarify conditions related to the Statutory Right of Occupancy, including timely payment deadlines and penalties for non-compliance. This is expected to streamline revenue collection and expedite infrastructural progress.
Land allottees are now required to complete payments within 21 days of receiving their offers, failing which they risk losing their allocations. Furthermore, any development on granted lands must be completed within two years.
Addressing the backlog of land documents submitted for regularisation, only a fraction has been processed successfully since 2006, leaving a substantial number still pending.
The Mass Housing Programme, initiated in 2000 to provide affordable housing through Public-Private Partnerships, has seen minimal success with only two developers fulfilling their obligations.
The new operational framework for titling aims to expedite this process and restore confidence in the management of FCT land.
Wike’s administration is poised to generate over 200 billion naira annually through these innovative policies, ensuring continuous infrastructural development and fulfilling the administration’s commitments.
With a revamped IGR system under the FCT-IRS, further development and reforms are anticipated, with untapped revenue from land allocations poised to propel the FCT administration forward.
