FG Issues 60-Day Ultimatum: Settle Outstanding Debts or Risk Losing Abuja Properties

FG's 60-Day Ultimatum to Abuja Property Debtors

"The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of its titled properties...”

Nigeria's Minister Dangiwa calls for action-oriented land administration conferences, shifting focus from discussions to tangible outcomes and measurable progress.

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has issued a 60-day ultimatum to all holders of Federal Certificate of Occupancy titles to settle their outstanding debts. Minister Ahmed Dangiwa made this announcement at the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands in Abuja on October 23, emphasizing the urgent need for landowners to comply.

Urgent Call to Action for Landowners:

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has given landowners a 60-day deadline to clear their outstanding debts. Failure to comply will result in the revocation of their Federal Certificate of Occupancy titles.

Minister Ahmed Dangiwa's Address

At the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands, Minister Dangiwa stressed the importance of compliance in his address, “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and Its Impact on Climate Change and Community Rights.”

In his address, themed “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and Its Impact on Climate Change and Community Rights," Dangiwa underscored the urgent need for compliance among landowners.

“Before I conclude my address, I want to use this occasion to address pertinent issues that are hampering the ability of government to maximize the revenue earning potential of its landed assets,” he said.

"The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of its titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years now.”

Dangiwa added, “This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the Federal Government. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“As such all Federal C of O title owners are hereby given a 60-day notice to settle all outstanding ground rent and statutory charges. Failure to make payment within this period will result in the revocation of their C of Os.”

Minister Ahmed Dangiwa condemned resident associations that prevent Ministry officials from entering estates to carry out billing and enforcement, warning of penalties for non-compliance. This announcement was made at the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands in Abuja, where various stakeholders in land administration gathered to discuss key issues.

Effective land management is crucial in addressing pressing concerns such as food security, urbanization, and environmental conservation, emphasized Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi during the conference. He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable land use and development.

Highlights from the Conference:

Non-Compliance Consequences: Resident associations hindering Ministry officials will face penalties and sanctions.

Importance of Land Management: Effective land management is vital for addressing food security, urbanization, and environmental conservation.

Collaborative Efforts: Stakeholders must work together to ensure sustainable land use and development.

By emphasizing the importance of cooperation and compliance, the conference aimed to promote responsible land administration practices and address the challenges facing Nigeria's land management sector.

“Land is a fundamental resource for development how we manage and steward this resource has profound implications for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity,” he noted.

Both officials stressed the crucial need for a cohesive strategy to overhaul land administration and boost cooperation among stakeholders. This unified approach is vital for effective land governance, which supports sustainable development, equitable stakeholder participation, and consistent law implementation.

A well-structured strategy will help tackle challenges in land administration, such as poor coordination among governance structures and limited cooperation on reform issues. By promoting good governance and stakeholder engagement, officials can ensure that land administration reforms are successful and beneficial to all parties involved.

Elements of a Unified Strategy:

Stakeholder Participation: Encourage active involvement from all stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and private sector organizations.

Institutional Reform: Strengthen land administration institutions and streamline processes to improve efficiency and transparency.

Capacity Building: Develop skills and knowledge among land administrators, policymakers, and stakeholders to support effective land governance.

Policy Framework: Establish a clear policy framework that guides land administration and ensures consistency with national development goals.

By adopting a comprehensive strategy, officials can address the complex issues surrounding land administration and create a more equitable and sustainable land governance system.

Collins Alabi, Director of Lands and Housing Development, urged conference attendees to acknowledge the critical importance of land in sustaining individual well-being, community development, and environmental health.

“I encourage each of you to actively participate in the sessions, share your experiences, and collaborate toward the development of solutions that will shape the future of Land Administration for generations to come,” he added.

Both officials stressed the crucial need for a cohesive strategy to overhaul land administration and boost cooperation among stakeholders. This unified approach is vital for effective land governance, which supports sustainable development, equitable stakeholder participation, and consistent law implementation.

A well-structured strategy will help tackle challenges in land administration, such as poor coordination among governance structures and limited cooperation on reform issues. By promoting good governance and stakeholder engagement, officials can ensure that land administration reforms are successful and beneficial to all parties involved.

Minister Dangiwa urged participants to move from dialogue to implementation, considering a format shift in future conferences to yield concrete results.