Abuja, September 3, 2025 – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a 30-day grace period to property owners violating Abuja’s land use regulations, warning that defaulters who fail to comply will face a mandatory fine of ₦5 million alongside enforcement actions.
Wike, who spoke during a monitoring exercise across parts of the FCT, said the administration would no longer tolerate distortions to the Abuja Master Plan, citing indiscriminate land use, illegal conversions, and unauthorized developments as threats to the city’s structural integrity.
He stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu prioritizes orderliness and proper urban planning, adding that the fines were meant to serve as both a deterrent and a corrective measure.
“Abuja is not a lawless city. People cannot convert residential buildings into commercial use without approval, nor can they erect structures on green areas. Such practices will attract stiff sanctions. The 30-day window is not negotiable,” Wike said.
Officials of the Development Control Department explained that notices have already been served to affected property owners and businesses, urging them to either seek proper approval or revert the use of their properties in line with planning laws.
The Minister further disclosed that special task forces would be deployed after the grace period to enforce compliance, while insisting that the administration was not targeting individuals but rather working to restore Abuja’s original design.
He assured law-abiding residents that legitimate developers would continue to receive support, noting that the government remains committed to making the FCT a model capital city for Africa.
