Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced a two-week extension for landowners in Abuja’s Maitama District to pay their outstanding fees for Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
In a statement released on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the extension applies to 614 individuals and organizations that have not yet responded to previous payment notices.
This decision follows a prior notice issued on October 5, 2024, which warned 3,273 allottees about unpaid fees. Of that number, 2,511 complied with the payment requirements.
Wike stressed that the intention is not to dispossess landowners but to ensure compliance with payment obligations, with a final deadline set for January 3, 2025.
The statement noted: “On October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders with outstanding C-of-O payments was published, providing them with two weeks to settle their balances or risk losing their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, 2,511 complied, leaving 762 individuals.”
“On Thursday, a notice of withdrawal regarding the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published. Since then, many of the affected landowners have indicated their willingness to pay.
As the primary aim of the government is to facilitate compliance, a two-week grace period has been granted.”
“Therefore, the 762 allottees, along with the 614 others who have outstanding C-of-O payments, will have until January 3, 2025, to make their payments or their R-of-O titles will be withdrawn by Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
No further extensions will be granted after January 3, 2025, and the withdrawal of titles for defaulters will be final.”
