Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hinted on an imminent increase in ground rent payments, warning that tax evasion poses the biggest challenge to his administration’s efforts to deliver infrastructure in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday after inspecting ongoing projects in the capital, Wike criticised property owners who fail to meet their financial obligations while still expecting top-tier services from the government.
“My greatest challenge is the refusal of people to pay what they owe. I will elaborate on this in the next media chat. People want facilities, they want infrastructure, but nobody asks where the funds come from. Abuja is not an oil-producing city; we rely solely on taxes. These are not new taxes; they have been in place for years,” Wike stated.
His comments come amid an ongoing clampdown by the FCT Administration on major ground rent defaulters. On Monday, officials sealed several properties across Abuja, including the PDP National Secretariat, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a TotalEnergies station, and a branch of Access Bank.
The move has ignited backlash from the leadership of the PDP and FIRS, who called the action unprofessional and a threat to democratic norms.
In response, President Bola Tinubu intervened by granting a 14-day ultimatumfor all affected parties to settle outstanding dues, alongside penalties ranging from N2 million to N3 million, depending on property location.
Wike argued that ground rent has remained static for years despite widespread non-compliance, adding that many of the defaulters owe up to two decades’ worth of rent.
“It is unfortunate that many elites own houses overseas. They understand the consequences of not paying taxes abroad — such properties can be forfeited. Yet, when it comes to their own country, they refuse to comply simply because they believe there are no sanctions,” he said.
“Look at the arrears — 20, 30 years. And how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that, and I can assure you we will do so. The President has granted a two-week waiver. Let no one think that blackmail or intimidation will deter us; we will do what is necessary,” Wike added.
The minister also revealed that he had recently signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignment, encouraging residents to meet their civic obligations to sustain development across the FCT.
“If you pay your taxes, you will see the difference it makes. That is what we are striving to achieve,” he concluded.
