Wike slams N5m fine, 7.5% conversion fee on FCT land defaulters

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has approved a N5m fine, payable within 30 days, for allottees and land title holders who have violated the Land Use Act in the FCT.

In addition, he endorsed a 7.5 per cent charge on the Assessed Capital Value of properties converted without the knowledge or express consent of the FCT Administration, also payable within 30 days.

Wike gave the approval on Tuesday after receiving the report of the committee established to tackle the abuse of the Land Use Act in the capital.

The minister had inaugurated the committees on August 8, 2025, stressing that the issue of land abuse was “very important” in streamlining the FCT Administration’s handling of land matters.

Chairman of the Land Use and Purposes Clause Committee and Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, revealed that many properties along Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Aminu Kano Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Street, and Gana Street, among others, had been illegally converted to residential, commercial, or mixed-use, in violation of original agreements.

He disclosed that the total capital value of such properties stood at N1,037,478,716,500. The committee recommended sanctions against defaulting title holders, including sealing properties, removing buildings, revoking titles, or withdrawing allocations, if fines were not paid.

“The Committee hereby recommends as follows: That, allottees/title holders of land and properties affected by the land use change/conversion, pay within thirty (30) days from the date of conveyance of approval, the Land Use Conversion fee of 7.5% of the assessed Capital Value of the properties as contained in the Schedule/Valuation Report Sheet.

“That, allottees/title holders of the land and properties affected by the land use change/conversion, in addition to payment of Land Use Conversion fee, pay statutory Right of Occupancy bills applicable for the new land use/purpose clause and as charged for the District;

“That, where illegal/unapproved extension, merger and subdivision has been established, the allottee/title holder of the property… pay, within thirty (30) days from the date of conveyance of approval, extension/merger/subdivision fee of the extant 2.0% of the assessed Capital Value of the properties as contained in the Schedule/Valuation Report Sheet,” Galadima said.

Commending the committees, Wike warned that no defaulter would escape penalties, stressing that the administration was focused on revenue generation to execute projects.

“I’m not going to leave anybody to go free. We are looking for money to carry on projects. If you fall into our trap, it’s your business.

“Or if you want us to take back our title, which we are not interested in taking back. We are trying to raise money for the FCT. But if you don’t want, we will take back your title, we sell it, we will still raise money. You have to pay the penalty and pay for the conversion; they are two different things.

“I’m aware that certain areas are designated for residential, and certain areas are designated for commercial. But people believing that they can do anything without approval from the government, some have changed residential to commercial, some have changed commercial to residential, and some have changed for all kinds of mixed uses. If you don’t sanction them, it will continue to be so,” Wike stated.