Thirty-four embassies in Abuja may be forced to shut their doors this week as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) moves to enforce payment of longstanding ground rent debts, some of which date back as far as 2014.
According to official records, the embassies collectively owe over N3.6 million in ground rent, which is a fee required of property holders in the FCT. Affected embassies include diplomatic missions from countries such as Ghana, Thailand, Russia, Côte d’Ivoire, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, among many others.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, recently ordered the enforcement of payment on thousands of properties, including foreign missions. This action followed years of unpaid rent obligations, with the government now demanding immediate compliance. However, President Bola Tinubu stepped in and granted a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their debts. That window closes today, Monday, June 9.
Director of Lands at the FCTA, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, revealed that embassies found guilty of non-payment would also be required to pay penalties ranging from N2 million to N3 million, depending on their location within the capital.
Some of the highest debts were attributed to the China Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office (N12,000), Indonesia’s Defence Attaché (N1.7 million), and Equatorial Guinea (N1.1 million). Others, such as the embassies of Germany, Russia, Turkey, and Ghana, have questioned their inclusion on the list or denied owing any ground rent.
The Russian Embassy issued a firm denial: “The Embassy pays all bills for the rent of the territory on which the Embassy complex is located in good faith and on time. The Embassy also has all necessary documents confirming payment.”
A representative from Turkey’s Embassy said, “We have not received a formal notification about the debt… and will fix the issue as soon as possible.”
Germany’s diplomatic office also noted that it had not received any formal complaint. “We would like to clarify that no such claim or demand has been formally brought to our attention by the Federal Capital Territory Administration,” the embassy stated. They added that their rent was fully settled by the end of 2024.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s High Commission acknowledged the situation, saying it had seen the publication but had not been officially contacted. “We will liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter,” the embassy noted.
The FCTA’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, responded to the embassies’ denials by stating that all such claims would be reviewed. “This claim will be promptly investigated and appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
Foreign policy experts have urged caution in dealing with diplomatic missions. Former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, reminded authorities of the Vienna Convention, which protects diplomatic properties but also expects compliance with local regulations. He advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the matter through bilateral talks.
Analyst Charles Onunaiju also weighed in, saying, “By the Vienna Convention… diplomatic premises are sovereign territory of their respective countries.” He warned that forceful action could trigger diplomatic tension: “It will be a breach of diplomatic protocol.”
Meanwhile, some Nigerian institutions previously on the list, such as the Peoples Democratic Party, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have resolved their ground rent issues.
A source within the PDP confirmed that “Action was taken on Friday to make the payment,” while the FIRS clarified that a 25-year rent demand was settled shortly after notice was received. NAPTIP also confirmed its issue had been addressed.
