By Dr Uzor Ngoladi
The recent standoff between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Nigerian military over land ownership and allocation in Abuja has sparked national debate about how land is acquired, managed, and sometimes contested in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The controversy has not only raised questions about the integrity of land administration but also revealed how public institutions and private developers often clash over boundaries, titles, and legal authority.
At the heart of the issue is one critical question: what exactly is the process of land acquisition in Abuja, and who has the final say?
All land in Nigeria is ultimately governed by the Land Use Act of 1978, which vests ownership of all land in each state in the hands of the governor — to be held in trust for the people. However, the FCT, being the nation’s capital, operates differently. Here, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the ultimate custodian of all land, acting through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Under Section 297(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, all land in Abuja is vested in the Federal Government, and by law, the FCT Minister exercises the powers of a state governor for all matters relating to land. This means that the Minister can allocate land, revoke titles, and grant rights of occupancy on behalf of the President.
Therefore, legally speaking, no person, institution, or government agency — including the military — can acquire or hold land in the FCT without the consent and approval of the Minister.
The process of land acquisition in Abuja follows a formal and highly regulated procedure managed by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Department of Lands, Administration and Resettlement under the FCT Administration (FCTA).
The standard procedure involves several key stages:
- Application and Expression of Interest:
Interested individuals, corporate bodies, or government institutions apply formally to the Department of Lands, stating the purpose of the land use — whether for residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial development. - Evaluation and Planning Review:
The FCDA and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning evaluate the request to ensure it aligns with the Abuja Master Plan. This stage is crucial to prevent unregulated development or encroachment into areas reserved for specific uses such as green areas, military zones, or infrastructure corridors. - Approval and Allocation Letter:
Once approved, the applicant receives a provisional allocation letter specifying the plot number, size, location, and conditions of grant. The applicant is then required to pay statutory fees such as ground rent, development levy, and premium charges. - Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O):
After payment and compliance with all conditions, the applicant receives a Certificate of Occupancy signed by the FCT Minister. This document legally recognizes the right of the holder to occupy and use the land for a defined period — usually 99 years for residential use. - Development and Monitoring:
The landholder is expected to commence development within a stipulated time frame (often 2 years). Failure to do so, or violation of land-use terms, may result in revocation of the right of occupancy.
Over the years, several federal institutions, including the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Police, have acquired vast parcels of land in the FCT for barracks, training facilities, and housing projects. However, some of these acquisitions were reportedly made without proper documentation or approval from the FCTA, leading to disputes and overlapping claims.
The current controversy erupted when Minister Wike directed the demolition of certain military-occupied areas and halted new constructions pending verification of ownership documents. According to him, many government agencies, including the military, have encroached on lands not duly allocated to them.
“The FCT is not an ungoverned space. Everyone, including government institutions, must follow due process in land acquisition,” Wike declared in a recent briefing. “If the Nigerian Army, Police, or any agency wants land, they must apply to the FCTA like every other entity.”
The military, on the other hand, argues that some of the lands in question were allocated decades ago for defense infrastructure and personnel housing. They have urged the FCT authorities to respect previous government approvals and avoid disrupting national security operations.
The Wike–Military dispute underscores long-standing problems in Abuja’s land administration system, which has been plagued by overlapping claims, double allocations, and land speculation. Experts say weak record-keeping, corruption, and political interference have made the process vulnerable to abuse.
According to a former FCT Director of Lands, “The Abuja Master Plan was designed for orderly development, but over the years, political and institutional pressures have distorted it. Many agencies simply carved out land and started building without due approval.”
There have also been instances where land allocated for public use — such as schools, hospitals, and green areas — were illegally converted to private estates through forged or backdated documents.
Urban development experts insist that adherence to due process remains the only way to maintain the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan and prevent further conflict between government institutions. They argue that all landholders, whether private citizens or federal agencies, must submit themselves to verification under the FCT Land Administration system.
Wike’s insistence on order, they say, aligns with his statutory powers as FCT Minister. However, they also caution that the process must be transparent, fair, and guided by dialogue to prevent unnecessary friction between civilian authorities and the military.
“The Minister has every right to demand documentation,” said Abuja-based legal practitioner, Barr. Solomon Eze. “But he must also recognize legitimate prior allocations and work with the military to regularize them, not politicize them.”
The ongoing Wike vs. Military confrontation is more than just a power tussle — it is a reflection of the broader challenges in Nigeria’s land governance system. At its core lies a simple but vital principle: no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law when it comes to land acquisition in the Federal Capital Territory.
As Abuja continues to grow, balancing development, legality, and institutional cooperation will remain central to preserving the vision of a planned, orderly, and inclusive capital city.
Dr Uzor Ngoladi is the publisher of www.dailyblastng.com & www.uzorngoladi.com
3 Comments
Well said Dr. Uzor Ngoladi.
In a sane environment where law and order is observed in full not in breach by all, your submission is apt.
But in a situation as we have it today in our country where a federal minister will frequently disobey court orders and ruling with reckless abandon, then those with equal might inadvertly will be encouraged to use whatever means to counter any perceived threat.
Though I do not encourage disobedience to rule of law, but the judiciary must wake up and stop being tools in the hands of politicians, or justice sold to the highest bidder!
The question remains, did the process of revocation follow proper procedures, legally? Consider that these military officers claimed that the land was duly allocated to them.
Could it not be better if the minister had obtained a restraining order of the court, serve it on the affected officers while the process of revalidation or otherwise take place?
Was the minister supposed to physically go to vacate or quit the workers wherein there are issues around legitimacy hanging on the land?
We thank God that no life was lost in case needless confrontation.
Minister Wike should be cautious and act honorably, the call he made to the CDS afterwards would have been made prior, and maybe the unfortunate altercation would have be avoided.
***We thank God that no life was lost in this needless confrontation.
***Minister Wike should be cautious and act honorably, the call he made to the CDS afterwards would have been made prior, and maybe the unfortunate altercation would have been avoided***.