The Federal Government has given a 60-day ultimatum to owners of federally titled properties to pay their outstanding ground rent and other statutory fees, warning that failure to comply will result in the revocation of their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, announced the directive on Wednesday at the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands in Abuja, attended by representatives from federal and state ministries, departments, and agencies.
Speaking at the conference themed “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and Its Impact on Climate and Community Rights,” Dangiwa expressed concern over the long-standing non-payment of dues by property owners.
“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. This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of Naira in revenue to the Federal Government,” he said.
Dangiwa added that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, such revenue lapses would no longer be tolerated. “This revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians,” the minister emphasized.
He further warned, “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.”
The Minister described the situation as a “state of emergency” for land administration, noting that economic, security, and social development goals are being hindered by poor land management practices.
Dangiwa also raised concerns about the interference of some residents’ associations, who have allegedly obstructed government officials from accessing federal estates for billing and enforcement purposes.
“We want to warn such associations to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in their respective C of Os. Failure to adhere to these requirements will attract the appropriate penalties and sanctions,” he stated.
The Minister outlined efforts to streamline land administration, highlighting the introduction of the Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C of O) system. This new system, which integrates a web-based Advanced Workflow System (WNABS) and an Electronic Documentation Management System (EDMS), aims to simplify the review, approval, and issuance of land titles.
Dangiwa disclosed that over 600 e-C of O applications had been processed digitally as of October 2024, with the goal of clearing the backlog before the year’s end. He added that the initiative aligns with the national land titling program, implemented in collaboration with the World Bank and other partners.
Speaking further, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, stressed the need to balance land use with sustainability efforts. He urged that decisions around land management should consider climate change, biodiversity protection, and long-term resource access.
“Land is not only an economic asset but also a cultural and social resource that holds deep significance for communities,” Ogunbiyi noted.
He highlighted the importance of recognizing customary land rights and involving local communities in land-use planning to promote fairness and prevent conflicts. “In many cases, especially in rural and indigenous areas, communities are displaced or marginalized due to inadequate or inequitable land management practices,” he warned.
Ogunbiyi emphasized that future development efforts must safeguard the rights of vulnerable communities to ensure equity and social cohesion