Tuesday Marks Deadline for Closure of 34 Embassies in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a Tuesday deadline threatening closure of 34 foreign embassies in Abuja due to unpaid ground rent arrears dating back 11 years, amounting to over N3.6 million. Many diplomatic missions have failed to pay ground rent since 2014, prompting the FCTA to revoke 4,794 properties for non-payment spanning 10 to 43 years.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike directed enforcement actions on May 26, but President Bola Tinubu granted a 14-day grace period ending Tuesday to allow property holders to settle outstanding debts. Defaulters face penalties of up to N3 million depending on location, as disclosed by FCTA’s Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.

Embassies on the list include those of Ghana, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, Philippines, Netherlands, Turkey, Guinea, Ireland, Uganda, Iraq, Zambia, Tanzania, Germany, Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Chad, Sierra Leone, India, Sudan, Niger, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, European Union, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, China, South Africa, and Equatorial Guinea.

Some embassies, such as Russia, Turkey, and Germany, have denied the claims, stating they have fulfilled their payment obligations and questioning the accuracy of the FCTA’s list. The Ghana and Sierra Leone embassies said they have not been officially notified but will liaise with relevant authorities to resolve the matter.

FCTA spokesman Lere Olayinka promised prompt investigation into disputed claims and appropriate follow-up actions. Former ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode highlighted the diplomatic immunity of embassies under the Vienna Convention but noted that local municipal rules must also be observed, recommending bilateral diplomatic engagement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign affairs expert Charles Onunaiju cautioned that any attempt to enforce ground rent payments by locking down embassies could violate international diplomatic protocols and cause diplomatic tensions.

Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, previously listed as defaulters, have cleared their arrears with the FCTA, resolving prior disputes including sealed offices.

The Tuesday deadline underscores the FCTA’s resolve to enforce ground rent payments and reclaim properties in the Federal Capital Territory.