Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned that 34 foreign embassies risk closure on Tuesday due to unpaid ground rents accumulated over 11 years, totaling N3,662,196. The FCTA’s publication revealed many diplomatic missions have not paid since 2014, leading to revocation of thousands of properties for non-payment spanning 10 to 43 years.
On May 26, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ordered enforcement against defaulters, but President Bola Tinubu granted a 14-day grace period ending Tuesday for settling outstanding ground rent. Defaulters will incur penalties of between N2 million and N3 million depending on location, according to Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land at FCTA.
Embassies listed include Ghana, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, Philippines, Netherlands, Turkey, Guinea, Ireland, Uganda, Iraq, Zambia, Tanzania, Germany, Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Chad, Sierra Leone, India, Sudan, Niger, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, European Union, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, China, South Africa, and Equatorial Guinea.
Several embassies, including Russia, Turkey, and Germany, have denied owing any arrears, citing timely payments and administrative errors. The Ghana High Commission and Sierra Leone Embassy said they had not been officially informed but would consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the issue.
FCTA spokesman Lere Olayinka assured that disputed claims would be investigated and appropriate action taken. Former ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode referenced the Vienna Convention’s protection of diplomatic premises but noted embassies must comply with local regulations, suggesting diplomatic resolution through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju warned that enforcement actions against embassies could breach diplomatic protocols and provoke diplomatic disputes.
Separately, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons have settled their ground rent arrears with the FCTA, resolving previous conflicts including sealed offices.
The Tuesday deadline highlights the FCTA’s determination to enforce land use regulations and recover unpaid ground rent in Abuja.