A new policy directive from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, mandating land allottees to develop their plots within two years or risk revocation, has sparked mixed reactions among real estate professionals.
Estate surveyor Adamu Kasim questioned both the legality and practicality of the directive, warning that while the minister possesses regulatory powers, such policies must remain reasonable and grounded in economic realities.
“Though the law permits the minister to issue guidelines for land use, it must be applied with caution to avoid the perception of authoritarianism,” Kasim told our correspondent. He argued that expecting all allottees to develop their plots within two years—particularly in central areas like Abuja’s Central Business District—is impractical, citing economic limitations and the sluggish pace of real estate development in the capital.
“To say all plots in the FCT must be developed within two years is simply unrealistic. Look at the Churchgate building, which started in 2015 and is still incomplete today. Abuja’s market doesn’t yet have the capacity to absorb such rigid expectations,” he explained.
On the other hand, some professionals in the industry have applauded the minister’s initiative. Former chairman of the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Ikenna Aghaji, welcomed the move, calling it a catalyst for growth and order in the territory.
“I support the policy. Infrastructure like roads and flyovers only make sense when they connect areas being actively developed. Building roads into vacant land wastes resources,” Aghaji argued. He noted that physical development enhances both the aesthetic and functional value of urban land.
However, he added a caveat: the policy must only be enforced in areas already equipped with essential infrastructure. “It would be unfair to expect compliance in unserviced zones,” he said.
An anonymous estate surveyor also weighed in, supporting the overall vision but cautioning against poor execution. “Wike’s strategy to tackle infrastructural gaps and enforce land use is a positive step. It encourages urban development and could eventually ease housing shortages by boosting supply,” the source said. But he also warned that effective implementation, stakeholder inclusion, and transparency would be vital to achieving long-term success.
Defending the minister’s decision, Badamasi Haiba, Director of Press at the Ministry of Housing, said Wike’s directive falls well within his legal authority. “It’s his jurisdiction. He is acting within the framework of the law. These policies are planned and deliberate,” Haiba stated.
The minister initially made the announcement during a meeting with the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, stressing that land allocations would now be conditional on clear commitments from recipients regarding their ability to develop the plots within a defined timeline.
“My new policy is simple: no land will be allocated unless the recipient commits to developing it within a specific period. If that doesn’t happen, the land returns to the FCT,” Wike said.
Echoing this, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of the FCT Land Administration Department, confirmed that the two-year development rule is now official. Any land not developed within that timeframe, following the issuance of a Right of Occupancy, will be subject to revocation. The goal, he said, is to reduce land hoarding and ensure plots are put to productive use.
As the debate continues, stakeholders agree on one thing—balancing policy ambition with economic and infrastructural realities will be key to determining the success or failure of this bold directive.
