The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Monday urged President Bola Tinubu to stop the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from shutting down 34 foreign embassies in Abuja over unpaid ground rents.
In a statement issued poster on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, SERAP warned that such an action would not only breach international diplomatic protocols but also undermine Nigeria’s obligations under global law.
“President Tinubu should urgently caution and direct the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately withdraw the threat to close down 34 embassies in Abuja,” the organisation said, referencing Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
According to the convention, diplomatic missions are protected from local enforcement actions, including search, seizure, or eviction.
The FCT Administration last weekend revealed that 34 embassies have defaulted on ground rent payments, some dating back as far as 2014.
The total amount owed the FCTA stands at just over ₦3.66 million, ranging from modest sums such as ₦150 to over ₦1 million in some cases.
Among the embassies listed are those of Russia, China, South Africa, Ghana, Germany, India, and the European Union, alongside others from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Notably, China’s Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office was reported to owe ₦12,000, while Zambia’s High Commission owed over ₦1.18 million.
On May 26, Wike announced an aggressive enforcement directive targeting 4,794 properties across the FCT with outstanding rents, some unpaid for up to 43 years.
Embassies were not exempted from this order.
However, following a wave of concern from diplomatic stakeholders and international observers, President Tinubu stepped in and offered a 14-day grace period to resolve the matter, a window that expired on Monday.
