Abuja Nigeria – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured indigenous residents of the FCT that they will receive Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) for their ancestral lands, a major development in resolving long-standing land ownership concerns, national news reports say.

Wike made the commitment during an official engagement with community leaders and residents in the FCT, where he emphasised that the current administration is committed to inclusive governance and fair land administration. He said the issuance of CofOs to the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory will help protect their rights and provide legal recognition of their land holdings.

The minister explained that FCT lands have historically been a source of dispute due to unclear documentation and overlapping claims. He said the government will work to regularise land titles and ensure ancestral lands are recognised legally, adding that this initiative is part of broader plans to support development, reduce conflicts and build trust between communities and the FCT Administration.

Traditional rulers and representatives of indigenous groups welcomed the announcement, describing it as a step in the right direction “towards justice for original inhabitants” and pledging to work with authorities to facilitate the process. Wike also directed relevant agencies to begin consultations with community stakeholders to map ancestral land boundaries and expedite issuance of CofOs.

Officials said the policy will apply to eligible indigenous communities across the FCT and that the process will be anchored on transparency and proper verification of claims to avoid future disputes.