Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recently clarified misunderstandings regarding land ownership in Abuja, particularly concerning the Golf Course. He asserted that the Golf Course remains publicly owned and has not been privatized.
In a video broadcast by ESET TV, Wike elaborated that possessing a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) does not equate to full ownership of the property. While a C of O confers certain rights, it does not assure total ownership. He mentioned that various government bodies, similar to universities, are granted C of Os to safeguard public assets, ensuring that these documents serve the public good.
Wike also pointed out that the government operates an investment firm in Abuja that provides land and issues C of Os, underscoring the government’s dedication to responsible land management and fostering equitable investment.
Wike remarked,
“We continue to be the proprietors of the Golf Course; it hasn’t been privatized. Some of you might have encountered the notion that because the government issued you a C of O, the property is yours, but no. The government has established entities akin to universities. The government assigns universities a C of O to secure the property. Additionally, we in Abuja manage an investment firm; we allocate land and provide a C of O.”