FCTA Threatens Closure of 34 Embassies Over Ground Rent Arrears Despite Diplomatic Concerns
In a move raising serious diplomatic eyebrows, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has threatened to shut down 34 embassies in Abuja over alleged non-payment of ground rent a development that could spark tensions between Nigeria and several foreign governments.
The embassies reportedly owe a cumulative N3.6 million in ground rent, dating back as far as 2014. This action follows a broader directive by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who in May ordered the enforcement of ground rent collections on 4,794 properties with debts spanning between 10 and 43 years.
However, the decision is generating controversy not only because of its potential diplomatic fallout, but also due to discrepancies in the FCTA’s debt records, as several embassies have denied owing any payments or claimed they were never officially notified.
Tinubu’s Grace Period Nearing End
President Bola Tinubu intervened last month, granting a 14-day grace period—set to expire today—for affected individuals and entities to clear outstanding payments. According to FCTA’s Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, embassies and other defaulters will face penalty fees ranging from N2 million to N3 million based on location if they fail to comply.
While some organizations such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reportedly settled their dues, many foreign missions maintain their innocence.
Diplomatic Missions Push Back
The Russian Embassy was quick to deny any wrongdoing, stating it has “paid all bills for the rent of the territory on which the Embassy complex is located in good faith and on time.” Similar sentiments were echoed by the embassies of Turkiye and Germany, both of which claimed no official notice of debt had been served and questioned the accuracy of their inclusion on the FCTA’s list.
“We have not received any formal claim or notification. All our obligations were settled by the end of 2024,” the German Embassy clarified, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and respectful bilateral relations.
Ghana’s High Commission and the embassies of Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia also said they were unaware of any such debt and would be verifying the claim internally.
Legality and Protocol: A Diplomatic Tightrope
Experts are warning that FCTA’s threat to revoke or seal off embassy properties could violate the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which establishes the inviolability of diplomatic premises.
Former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, stressed that while embassies are expected to adhere to local laws, diplomatic compounds are considered sovereign territory. “It is a question of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handling each issue on a bilateral basis,” he advised.
Similarly, international relations analyst Charles Onunaiju questioned the legal foundation of enforcing municipal ground rent rules on diplomatic entities. “Embassy grounds are sovereign territory. Any enforcement action could trigger a serious breach of protocol,” he warned.
Record-Keeping Failures and Administrative Confusion
What makes the FCTA’s enforcement strategy even more contentious is the evident administrative disarray. Many missions claim they’ve never received formal demand notices, while FCTA officials admit the government is often unaware of payments until receipts are manually presented.
“There is no way we can know who has paid unless they bring their receipts,” said Lere Olayinka, spokesman for the FCT Minister, suggesting a lack of automation and coordination in FCTA’s record systems.
Even high-profile Nigerian institutions have been caught in this bureaucratic mess. FIRS had its office sealed in May over unpaid rent an allegation it strongly denied, providing evidence of payment. It has since resolved the matter but demanded an apology for the embarrassing action.
Similarly, NAPTIP confirmed that its own issue had been resolved, raising questions about the accuracy and fairness of the FCTA’s sweeping enforcement.
A Diplomatic Headache in the Making
This controversy places Nigeria’s foreign relations at risk. While the FCTA insists it is simply enforcing statutory obligations, the manner of enforcement public shaming, threats of closure, and questionable accuracy risks undermining diplomatic goodwill.
If Nigeria proceeds with sealing embassies, the country could face retaliatory diplomatic actions from affected states, including possible sanctions or deterioration in bilateral relations. Such fallout would be especially troubling given the modest sums involved.
Final Word
While the FCTA has a legal mandate to collect statutory land charges, the execution of that mandate must be tempered with diplomatic sensitivity, administrative clarity, and due process. In a globalized world, mismanaging such issues could cost Nigeria far more than unpaid rent.
Reference
FCTA Threatens Closure of 34 Embassies Over Ground Rent Arrears Despite Diplomatic Concerns