News
Pay Ground Rent Now Or Risk C-of-O Revocation, FG Tells Property Owners
The Federal Government has warned that property owners who fail to pay their ground rent now risk having the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) given on such property revoked.
The revocation, according to the government, will take effect on the expiration of the 60-day ultimatum it has issued.
Speaking at the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands in Abuja, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated that the persistent failure of the concerned persons to comply had resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the federal government.
At the opening ceremony of the two-day programme, Dangiwa stated that the government had also observed the activities of various residents’ associations of federal government landed properties that were preventing ministry staff from accessing the estates for billing purposes and enforcement of non-payments.
The conference was themed, “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and its Impact on Climate Change and Community Rights.”
The conference brought together experts, policymakers, and community representatives.
Dangiwa said, “I want to use this occasion to address pertinent issues that are hampering the ability of government to maximise the revenue earning potential of its landed assets. The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of its titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the ministry for several years now.
“This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the federal government. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated, as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.
“As such, all federal C of O title owners are hereby given a 60-day notice to settle all outstanding ground rent and statutory charges. Failure to make payment within this period will result in the revocation of their C of Os.”
The minister warned residents associations to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in their respective C of Os, threatening that failure to adhere to the requirements will attract appropriate penalties and sanctions.
He listed some challenges in land administration in Nigeria as complexity of Nigeria’s land laws, particularly the Land Use Act of 1978, which he said continued to pose significant challenges.
Besides, Dangiwa mentioned the lengthy, expensive and complicated land titling and registration processes, which he said was discouraging many Nigerians from formalising land ownership.
He also highlighted the lack of formal land titles, which prevented landowners from accessing credit and leveraging their land as a financial asset, particularly in rural areas.
Dangiwa emphasised the clash between formal legal structures and customary land tenure systems, especially in rural areas, which created uncertainty and hindered land transactions.
Others, he said, included limited access to land information; conflicting land laws and policies; inefficient dispute resolution mechanisms; corruption and land grabbing; as well as non-compliance with statutory obligations regarding government-owned land assets.
According to him, the inefficient and slow mechanisms for resolving land disputes, leading to prolonged conflicts that delay development, also remain a key challenge in the sector.
Dangiwa said the ministry was prioritising land governance issues and had taken significant steps, including ensuring the establishment of a new regime of revised rates for crops and economic trees that was fair, equitable, and provided adequate compensation to persons affected by government projects.
He added that the ministry was partnering with the World Bank to address Nigeria’s longstanding land registration challenges, with over 90 per cent of the land in the country still unregistered, leading to an estimated $300 billion in dead capital.
“Let me state that we are still in a state of emergency regarding our level of land administration. It is, in fact, a national economic, security, and social development risk. We must understand this and resolve to act with the urgency that is required,” he noted.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, observed that equitable land stewardship called for a balanced approach to land management that took into account not only economic development, but also environmental protection and social justice.
“As Africa confronts the realities of climate change ranging from desertification in the Sahel to rising sea levels in coastal regions, our land administration systems must evolve to support climate resilience,” Ogunbiyi stressed.
Director, Lands and Housing Development Department in the ministry, Collins Alabi, said as a precious resource, land required careful management and equitable distribution.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
-
News16 hours agoMass Burial For 30 ISWAP Insurgents Following Lethal NAF Strikes In Borno
-
News1 day agoCourt Sentences Dismissed NECO Employee To 24 Years Over Fake Diploma
-
News18 hours agoNo Solar Permits Needed For Private Homes In Lagos, SSA Confirms
-
Breaking News2 days agoTinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up
-
News18 hours agoLagos Sets Rules, Penalties For April 25 Sanitation Relaunch
-
News14 hours agoUnity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
-
News11 hours agoWale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
-
News10 hours agoOyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
