EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “We Must Clean the Rot” – FCT Minister’s Spokesman, Lere Olayinka, Breaks Down Land Reform Agenda

In this sit-down with Inside Abuja correspondens Miss Justina and Mr Toom, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, sheds light on the FCT administration’s land reform initiative. He addresses public concerns, explains the rationale behind the reforms, and shares the administration’s vision for a more transparent and equitable land management system.


Q1: As the spokesman to the FCT Minister, what key message should Abuja residents take away from the ongoing land reforms?
Response:
The key message is simple: if you acquired land genuinely, you have nothing to fear. But if you took land unlawfully or through abuse of office, it’s only right that the system corrects itself. We are not here to punish people, but to restore order. It cannot be that lands meant for public development are converted to personal property through the backdoor.

Q2: Can you clarify what the land reforms are trying to correct in the current system?
Response:
There has been a lot of abuse. Some allocations were done without following due process—files go missing, and people are issued Certificates of Occupancy without legal standing. Some plots meant for green areas, roads, or public infrastructure were allocated to individuals. These reforms are to sanitize the system and restore the FCT Master Plan.

Q3: There’s a perception that these reforms may displace certain communities or revoke existing allocations. How is the administration addressing such concerns?
Response:
That’s a valid concern, and the Minister has been clear: no one will be arbitrarily displaced. There is a verification process in place. If a community has settled on land that was wrongly allocated or encroached upon, we are working on humane and fair ways to address the situation. But we cannot allow illegality to become permanent just because it’s been there for a while.


Q4: What measures are being put in place to ensure transparency and accountability in land allocations under the new reforms?
Response:
We’ve digitized a lot of processes. For the first time, people can verify their land status online. We’re partnering with anti-corruption agencies and strengthening internal checks. The goal is to eliminate the “human gatekeeping” that has fueled corruption in land matters. We also intend to publish periodic reports on allocations and revocations.

Q5: How will these reforms impact real estate investors, developers, and ordinary citizens trying to access land in the FCT?
Response:
It will actually make things easier and safer for genuine investors. With transparency and digitized records, there’s less fear of being scammed or entangled in land disputes. For developers, knowing that the rules are clear and fairly applied builds confidence. Ordinary citizens will no longer need to rely on “connections” to get land—they’ll have a more level playing field.


Q6: You’ve served in various political communication roles. How would you describe the public response so far to the FCT Minister’s reform agenda, particularly in land matters?
Response:
Naturally, when you shake a table that has been stable for years—even if it’s wrong—people will react. There’s resistance from those benefiting from the old system. But the general public, especially law-abiding residents, are supportive. They see the sanity returning. It’s the noise from vested interests that tends to dominate the headlines, but we’re not deterred.


Q7: What role do you see the media playing in shaping public perception of these reforms, and how do you intend to engage them going forward?
Response:
The media is crucial. Misinformation thrives in silence, so we’re deliberately engaging more with journalists, radio stations, online platforms, and community influencers. We want people to hear directly from us—not just through gossip or half-truths. We’re also improving our digital platforms so residents can access information easily and quickly.


Q8: There’s been speculation that these reforms may have political undertones. What’s your response to that?
Response:
That’s expected in politics. But the truth is, you cannot have development without upsetting some entrenched interests. If restoring Abuja’s Master Plan becomes “political,” so be it. The Minister is focused on the job—he’s not chasing enemies. The reforms are based on facts, law, and necessity, not vendetta.