The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that 34 embassies in Abuja face possible closure starting Tuesday, June 11, 2025, due to failure to pay their 2023 ground rent.
According to FCTA officials, the embassies, including high-profile missions such as the British High Commission, the United States Embassy, and those of Saudi Arabia, Japan, Russia, France, and South Africa, are among the top defaulters. The Indonesian Embassy reportedly owes the highest amount—over $2 million—while other embassies owe smaller sums.
The FCTA had earlier issued a two-week deadline urging all defaulters, including embassies, to clear their outstanding payments or risk revocation of their land titles and property rights.
Director of Information for the FCTA, Muhammad Hazat Sule, said that the administration is determined to enforce land-use regulations and recover over $5.3 million owed in ground rent by diplomatic and private titleholders.
If the embassies fail to comply by the deadline, legal steps will be taken to revoke their Certificates of Occupancy, which could force them to vacate their properties.
This move is part of a broader effort by the FCT Administration to improve revenue generation and ensure accountability in property management across the capital.
