Wike Grants Land Titles to FCT Chiefs, Waives Fees on Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Directive

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has presented land allocation documents to members of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, alongside a full waiver of statutory charges tied to the titles.

Speaking at a meeting in Abuja on Friday, Wike said the decision to scrap the fees was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of efforts to strengthen ties with indigenous communities.

The minister acknowledged that existing legal frameworks governing land ownership in the FCT do not fully recognise ancestral claims. However, he noted that the current administration remains sensitive to the historical roots of local communities and the need for fairness and inclusion.

He emphasised that traditional rulers deserve recognition for their longstanding contributions to peace and stability, particularly through grassroots leadership roles.

Wike also commended the monarchs for their role in ensuring peaceful Area Council elections, describing the exercise as one of the most orderly in the territory’s history. As part of efforts to support their duties, he announced plans to provide each traditional ruler with utility vehicles.

Highlighting ongoing infrastructure development, the minister listed key projects across satellite towns, including the dualisation of the Airport–Kuje road, the Bwari–Zuba link road, and projects in Apo/Karshi and Basan Jiwa, as well as the completion of the Arab Road network.

A major highlight of the engagement was the formal announcement of the fee waiver, with Wike stressing that it would be unjust to require traditional rulers to pay for land historically occupied by their communities.

Responding on behalf of the council, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman, Adamu Baba Yunusa, expressed appreciation to both the president and the minister, reaffirming the commitment of traditional institutions in the FCT to support government policies and programmes.