The application for a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in Nigeria varies. It depends on whether the land belongs to a private individual or the state government.  Many individuals perceive it as a challenging and time-consuming venture in Nigeria. These misconceptions have led numerous property owners to neglect the idea of getting a C of O, despite the numerous advantages associated with this document. A buyer of land must directly apply for Cof O from the state government as soon as the sale of the property is finalized. Doing this will erase doubt as to ownership or authenticity of the power to sell the land.

To get a C of O in Nigeria, there must be a confirmation that the seller whether from family or ‘omo onile’, has legal ownership of the land being sold to you. After this, you research if the seller already owns it. You only need to change the ownership title at the land registry if the person or body you are buying from already has a C of O.

Another body aside from individuals, that is legally authorized to sell your land is the state government. When you buy directly from the government or a reputable real estate company in Nigeria, obtaining the C of O would be straightforward since it will be initiated as soon as the sale is confirmed.

Steps to Getting a Certificate of Occupancy(C of O)

To get a C of O, an individual or organization must apply to the relevant land authority in the state where the land is located. Financial readiness is  alszparamount. Adequate budgeting is crucial due to the potential variations in costs. These expenses are contingent on factors such as the property’s location, its size, and the desired processing speed. Written below is information for the documents and steps to getting a C of O.

• The Applicant should obtain a form from the Ministry (Land Use and Allocation Section) or download the same from their website and submit the application form with the following attached;

• Your tax clearance or evidence of being domiciled abroad.

• Passport Photographs (3 copies)

• An official receipt for application fees of #5,000 for residential land use or #10000 for Commercial land use.

• The applicant collects an acknowledgment slip as evidence of payment.

• Applicant collects letter of allocation.

• Applicants pay for allocated land (In a period not less than 90 days)

• The letter of confirmation is issued to the applicant with a plot and block Number.

• The Scheme Officer begins processing the application for the C of O, signs off on the file, and forwards the files to the Executive Secretary of Land Use Allocation Commission. (LUAC) – 5 Days.

• The Surveyor General provides the Scheme Officer with a digitized survey copy (2 Days)

• The Executive Secretary to LUAC approves processing and signs a letter of allocation.

• The Executive Secretary LUAC signs off on the file

• The Executive Secretary LUAC sends the file to the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor, Lands (2 days)

• The Senior Special Assistant, Lands examines the entire file and sends it with a covering memo to the Permanent Secretary (PS) Lands Bureau (2 days)

• Should the file have a query, the message is relayed back by notification for correction.

• The Permanent Secretary Lands Bureau signs off on the memo and sends the file to the Governor (2 days)

• The Governor then approves the file and electronically signs the C of O (2 days)

• If the file has a query, a message is relayed back by notification.

• Once the C of O has been approved and signed, the Governor signs off and sends the file to the Deputy Registrar for further processing (2 days)

• The Deputy Registrar processes the file further, signs off, and send the file to the Registrar of Titles for final registration (2 days)

• The Registrar of Titles registers the C of O, signs off, and requests for printing of C of O (1 day)

After submitting all required documents, the processing starts. The government agency will conduct a series of checks and inspections to verify the ownership of the land or property, including site visits, verification of the survey plan, and other relevant documents. Once the government agency is satisfied that all requirements have been met, it will issue the C of O to the applicant.

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