Abuja, Nigeria – April 11, 2025
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced strict new measures aimed at accelerating development and curbing land speculation in Abuja. Effective immediately, land allottees are required to make full payment for their allocations within 21 days, and must complete construction on their plots within a two-year period.
Wike stated that these directives are part of his administration’s commitment to restoring order, transparency, and accountability in land administration within the capital territory.
“The era of acquiring land and leaving it fallow is over. If you’re given land and fail to pay within 21 days, your allocation will be revoked. If you don’t develop it within two years, we’ll take it back,” the minister declared during a recent press briefing.
The policy is expected to boost infrastructural development and ensure that only serious developers are granted access to land in the FCT. According to Wike, the reforms are also designed to discourage speculative hoarding of prime plots and encourage rapid urbanization.
Industry stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions, with some praising the move as long overdue, while others raised concerns over the feasibility of completing large-scale projects within the stipulated timeframe.
Nonetheless, the FCT Administration remains firm on the enforcement, warning that failure to comply will attract strict penalties, including the revocation of land titles.
