BY Daniel Bampoe
The Ghana High Commission in Abuja is among 34 foreign diplomatic missions facing possible closure by Nigerian authorities over long-standing unpaid ground rent, raising serious diplomatic and legal concerns across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to an official publication by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Ghanaian embassy’s Defence Section is listed as owing ₦5,950 in ground rent—a relatively small figure but part of a wider issue involving cumulative debts reportedly spanning as far back as 2014.
The Bigger Picture
This development follows a recent crackdown initiated by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on May 26, targeting 4,794 properties over unpaid ground rent, some of which had been overdue for up to 43 years.
The FCTA, acting on the directive of the minister, began revocation procedures and threatened enforcement, including possible property seizures.
The debt owed by embassies—including Ghana’s—is part of a broader ₦3.6 million in unpaid rents from foreign missions, an amount which, while modest in national revenue terms, represents years of non-compliance with Abuja’s statutory land use regulations.
However, the move quickly stirred international attention. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened, halting immediate enforcement by granting a 14-day grace period to affected parties, ending Monday, June 9, 2025.
Ghana’s Response and Diplomatic Concern
In a response to inquiries by The Punch, the Ghanaian High Commission acknowledged seeing the publication but said it had not received any formal communication from the FCTA. “We will liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter,” an embassy spokesperson stated.
This low-key response contrasts with reactions from several other embassies, including Russia, Germany, and Turkey, which have either denied owing rent or claimed not to have been formally notified.
The Russian Embassy, for instance, insisted that all payments were up to date and backed by official receipts, while Turkey hinted at possible administrative oversight.
