The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has listed 34 embassies in Abuja as defaulters of ground rent payments dating back as far as 2014, with a collective debt of over ₦3.6 million. The affected diplomatic missions include those of Ghana, Thailand, Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, and others. Despite the FCTA’s warning, some embassies such as those of Russia, Germany, and Turkiye have denied owing any rent, claiming they have made all necessary payments and have documentation to prove it. The FCTA, under Minister Nyesom Wike, had announced a plan to revoke over 4,700 titles due to rent default, giving a grace period that ends Monday, June 9, 2025.
President Bola Tinubu had intervened in the 34 Embassies in Abuja Risk Closure Over Unpaid Ground Rentontroversy and diplomatic concern.
Embassies of Russia, Turkiye, and Germany have publicly responded, rejecting the FCTA’s claims and emphasizing their compliance with local financial obligations. Ghana’s High Commission and others like Sierra Leone stated they were unaware of the notice and promised to investigate or consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The FCTA, in response, said it would investigate such claims, citing that many payments were made through digital platforms like Remita, which complicates tracking without physical proof of receipts.
The situation has also raised legal and diplomatic concerns, as experts refer to the Vienna Convention of 1961, which deems embassy premises inviolable. Former Nigerian ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode and analyst Charles Onunaiju have both cautioned that enforcing rent collection on diplomatic premises could violate international laws and provoke diplomatic backlash. They urged that any issues be handled through diplomatic channels on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, the issue has already seen administrative confrontations, especially with FIRS, which had one of its offices sealed. Though FIRS has since cleared its dues and demanded a public apology, the incident reveals tensions between government agencies and how ground rent enforcement can escalate. As the grace period expires, all eyes are on the FCTA to see whether it will act on its threat or navigate the matter through diplomacy.
