By Ebenezer Mabinuola
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), led by Minister Nyesom Wike, has sealed an Access Bank branch in Wuse, Abuja, over a 34-year default in ground rent payment.
The enforcement is part of a broader campaign to recover long-overdue land fees and boost internally generated revenue.
The affected branch, located at Plot 2456, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse, sits on land originally allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, which has reportedly failed to pay ground rent since its allocation. A revocation notice, dated March 13, 2025, was served in line with Section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, allowing the government to take action against non-compliant landholders.
This closure is among several recent enforcement actions by the FCTA, including the sealing of a Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office and a Total filling station in the same district for similar infractions. Earlier this year, over 4,700 land titles were revoked across high-value areas such as Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki, with authorities revealing that more than ₦6.9 billion is owed by over 8,000 defaulters.
The move has sparked public concern, especially given the impact on banking services in a busy commercial area. However, the FCTA maintains that the clampdown is essential for ensuring compliance, improving urban governance, and securing funds for infrastructure development in the capital.
