CBN, BUA, First Bank named among Abuja’s top land defaulters

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has listed the Central Bank of Nigeria, BUA International Limited, First Bank of Nigeria and other major companies and government agencies among more than 1,000 property owners that have defaulted on statutory land charges in Abuja.

The FCTA on Monday published a public notice naming the organisations and individuals whose property titles were recently revoked over the non-payment of ground rent, certificate of occupancy fees, land use conversion charges and penalties. Enforcement actions on 1,095 affected titles will begin soon, officials said.

The revoked properties span some of Abuja’s most valuable districts, including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.

According to the FCTA, repeated notices were issued to the affected owners, who nonetheless failed to settle outstanding obligations. Of the 1,095 titles, 835 involve default on ground rent, while 260 relate to violations tied to land use conversion fees and other penalties.

Among the entities listed as defaulters are the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Television Authority, Nigerian Ports Authority, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, News Agency of Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.

Private firms such as BUA International Limited, Ibeto Cement Company Limited, MRS Investments, Urban Shelter, Adkan Services, and Pokobros Group are also included, along with hotels, real estate developers and several defunct banks.

The list further names security and federal agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Navy, National Security Adviser’s Office, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Industrial Training Fund.

A separate section identifies organisations that defaulted on land use contravention payments, including Zenith Bank Plc, Union Bank, United Bank for Africa, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Continental Trust Bank and several private estates, construction firms and religious institutions.

The FCTA said the enforcement drive is part of a broader effort to sanitise the land administration system, boost revenue and ensure compliance with statutory obligations.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.