The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled a list of high-profile individuals and organizations allegedly owing land title fees in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The list, published on November 26, named 9,532 defaulters in its first batch.
Among the notable figures is former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), who led Nigeria from 1985 to 1993.
The FCTA revealed that Babangida owes a staggering N152 million for a plot of land in the affluent Asokoro district of Abuja.
Samuel Ortom, the immediate past governor of Benue State, is also on the list.
According to the report, Ortom has an outstanding debt of N950,000 for a plot of land in Bazango, a community on the outskirts of Abuja.
Former Sokoto State governor and current senator, Aminu Tambuwal, was named as well.
Tambuwal reportedly owes N18 million for land in Carraway Dallas, a district not far from Asokoro.
The FCTA warned all defaulters to clear their debts within two weeks.
Failure to comply, the administration noted, could lead to the revocation of the affected land titles.
The directive explicitly stated that payments must be made via e-payment into the FCT Department of Land Administration account.
A spokesperson for the FCTA stressed the seriousness of the situation.
“This is a final warning. Defaulters who fail to comply will face the consequences, including losing their land titles,” the official stated.
The list also implicated several federal agencies in the debt scandal.
Among them are the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Navy, and the Police.
Even the Lagos State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro and the Kaduna State Government are named as defaulters.
A property listed as ‘State House Abuja’ was also flagged for non-payment.
The revelation has sparked widespread public interest and debate.
Many Nigerians have expressed shock at the involvement of such prominent individuals and institutions.
Some have questioned how these debts were allowed to accumulate over time.
“It’s disturbing to see people who should be role models on this list,” said Musa Ibrahim, a resident of Abuja.
The FCTA’s move is part of a broader effort to recover debts and boost internally generated revenue.
The administration has faced criticism in recent years over its handling of land allocations and title issuance.
Critics argue that the process has been marred by irregularities and favoritism.
However, the FCTA insists that it is committed to transparency and accountability.
“This is about enforcing compliance and ensuring fairness. No one is above the law,” the spokesperson added.
Babangida, Ortom, and Tambuwal have yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
Observers say their reactions could influence how the public perceives the situation.
Analysts also believe the case highlights deeper issues within Nigeria’s land administration system.
For years, stakeholders have called for reforms to address corruption and inefficiencies in the sector.
The FCTA’s publication of the list may signal a new approach to tackling these challenges.
Some legal experts, however, caution that revoking land titles could lead to lengthy court battles.
