In a significant move to restore order and credibility to public land governance, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Nigeria has constituted specialized vetting committees to address widespread irregularities in the sale of Federal Government houses and the titling of public park plots across Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The initiative, which reflects a broader trend in global urban governance reforms, aims to correct administrative flaws in land transactions and reestablish public trust in property processes—a persistent issue for many developing cities navigating the tension between urban expansion and regulatory enforcement.
Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration in the FCT, announced the committees’ inauguration, citing ministerial directives prompted by disturbing audit revelations. According to a statement from the Assistant Director of Information and Customer Service in the department, Badaru Yakasai, the newly formed bodies are tasked with probing deviations from original mandates, improper verifications, late remittances, poor documentation, and weak interdepartmental coordination—all of which have contributed to systemic inefficiencies and alleged corruption.
“These are not just administrative oversights. They are symptoms of deeper structural and institutional gaps that must be urgently addressed,” Nwankwoeze said.
He noted that the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has given full approval for the committees, complete with defined terms of reference and a firm timeline to conclude their work.
The move comes at a time when global cities are reevaluating land administration practices to meet rising urban demands and to combat housing inequality and bureaucratic opacity. In Abuja, one of Africa’s fastest-growing capitals, issues around access to land and property ownership have long stirred tension among residents, investors, and civil society groups.
One of the committees will focus exclusively on the sale of Federal Government houses—particularly in ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s 2003–2005 monetization policy, a framework originally designed to streamline civil servant housing through ownership. Over the years, however, the process has been marred by procedural lapses and claims of inequity.
Another committee will oversee the titling of designated park plots—spaces that are essential to the urban ecosystem but increasingly vulnerable to encroachment and misuse. According to Nwankwoeze, aligning the operations of the Parks and Recreation Department with current land reform objectives is part of the FCTA’s long-term strategy to protect Abuja’s green infrastructure and community spaces.
“This is a bold and irreversible step toward restoring transparency and building a culture of accountability in land management,” he emphasized.
He further pointed to the political will behind the move, noting that it forms part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration—a vision that promotes responsive governance and infrastructure reform.
For observers watching urban governance across the Global South, Abuja’s renewed stance offers a case study in policy correction. As cities strive to become smarter and more inclusive, land reform remains a foundational test of leadership integrity and institutional capacity.