Wike Moves to Shut Down 34 Embassies in Abuja Over Rent Debt

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike is poised to take action against 34 embassies in Abuja over their failure to pay ground rent dating as far back as 2014. The embassies, along with thousands of private and public property owners, face enforcement measures for defaulting on their statutory land use charges.

According to the FCT Administration, the diplomatic missions collectively owe ₦3.66 million in unpaid ground rent. Ground rent is a legal payment property occupiers must make to the government for using allocated land.

The affected embassies reportedly include those of Ghana, Russia, Turkey, Germany, Ireland, Venezuela, Zambia, Indonesia, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, China, India, South Africa, Sudan, Kenya, and others.

FCT Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, disclosed that penalty fees ranging from ₦2 million to ₦3 million will apply based on location and the length of default.

On May 26, Wike directed the enforcement of payment against 4,794 properties with unpaid rent spanning 10 to 43 years. However, President Bola Tinubu intervened, offering a 14-day grace period which expired on Monday, June 3.

Some high-profile organisations initially named as defaulters—such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)—have since cleared their debts.

However, multiple embassies have denied the FCTA’s claims.

• Russia’s Embassy maintained it has always paid its rent on time and has proof of payment.

• Turkey stated it had not received any formal notice and would investigate any listing.

• Germany confirmed that all its obligations were fully settled as of the end of 2024.

• Ghana’s High Commission said it had not been officially contacted and would liaise with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Despite the denials, the FCTA says enforcement action will commence immediately on confirmed defaulters unless payments are made or disputes are resolved through official channels.

This development underscores the FCT’s renewed drive to recover billions in ground rent arrears as part of broader fiscal reforms and land administration enforcement.