Abuja Land Scandal: Why 34 Embassies May Be Kicked Out Any Moment NowAt least 34 foreign embassies in Abuja face potential closure by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over the non-payment of ground rents, some of which date back more than a decade.
According to a document obtained by Punch, the embassies collectively owe ₦3.66 million in land use charges, with defaults reportedly dating as far back as 2014.
This action follows a directive issued on May 26 by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who ordered enforcement against 4,794 properties revoked due to unpaid ground rents — with some debts going back 43 years.
However, in response to public concern, President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for affected property owners to clear their debts. That grace period ends today (Monday).
The FCTA Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated that any mission or property owner who fails to comply will face penalties ranging from ₦2 million to ₦3 million, depending on property location within the FCT.
Embassies on the Default List
Among the defaulting diplomatic missions are:
-
Ghana High Commission Defence Section – ₦5,950
-
Embassy of Thailand – ₦5,350
-
Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire – ₦5,500
-
Embassy of the Russian Federation – ₦1,100
-
Embassy of the Philippines – ₦5,950
-
Royal Netherlands Embassy – ₦5,950
-
Embassy of Turkey – ₦3,350
-
Embassy of the Republic of Guinea – ₦5,950
-
Zambia High Commission – ₦1,189,990
-
Embassy of Venezuela – ₦459,055
-
Embassy of Egypt – ₦5,950
-
China’s Economic & Commercial Counselor’s Office – ₦12,000
-
Embassy of Indonesia (Defence Attaché) – ₦1,718,211
-
And many others, including missions from Germany, South Africa, Ethiopia, Chad, Sudan, and the EU.
Some Embassies Dispute the Claims
In response to the publication, several embassies denied the allegations:
-
Russian Federation: Denied any outstanding debt and insisted all dues are paid with supporting documentation.
-
Embassy of Turkiye: Stated no formal debt notice had been received and blamed the situation on a possible administrative error.
-
German Embassy: Declared all obligations fully paid as of the end of 2024, with no known outstanding claims.
-
Ghana High Commission: Said it was unaware of the issue and would consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-
Sierra Leone Embassy: An official expressed unawareness and promised to verify the claim.
FCT Minister Responds
The spokesperson for the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, assured that all embassy claims of non-indebtedness will be investigated and addressed appropriately.
Diplomatic Implications Cited
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, weighed in, referencing the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He emphasized that while embassy premises are inviolable, diplomatic missions are still expected to comply with local regulations, including land-related responsibilities.
He advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle the matter with diplomacy and discretion, suggesting that each case be reviewed bilaterally and resolved on a reciprocal basis.
