A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is the land owner’s best friend. It is as fundamental as owning the key to your dream home. It is one of the most essential land documents in Nigeria as it is required by law that every house owner must possess one. Issued by the government, the C of O basically helps the government track the ownership of land across the county. Now let’s take you through everything you need to know about this crucial document and how to get it.

What is a Certificate of Occupancy?

A Certificate of Occupancy is a land title document. Land title documents are documents that prove the ownership of land. Just like some other land title documents, they are issued by the government to show that by law, the  bearer of the document is the true owner of the property. 

The certificate issued by the government is in line with the land use act that confers all lands within the territory of a state to the Governor of that state. This gives the Governor the power to issue the land use act to land owners as the land within a state is held in the trust of the Governor. What this means is that there is no true ownership of land, the ownership of the land is just transferred from the Governor to the landowner for a certain time. A plot of land or property without a C of O can be confiscated at any time without any compensation paid.

What Should a C of O Contain?

Common things found on a C of O  include:

1. Certificate of Occupancy no.
2. File no.
3. Plot no.
4. Location (district details and cadastral zone)
5. Plot size
6. Survey plan or graphic (plot shape)
7. Date of issue
8. Lease term
9. Initial annual ground rent fees
10. Land use purpose
11. Terms and conditions

Having said this, some cities such as Abuja do not readily give out new certificates. As an alternative, raising and registering something like a power of attorney — in favor of the new land or property buyer, also serves the same purpose.

Where to get a Certificate of Occupancy

It is not a difficult process to secure a C of O. It is usually obtained from the state Governor and is handled by designated departments across every state in Nigeria. This department usually handles land matters in that state. You can get a Certificate of Occupancy through the appropriate state government — specifically the department in charge of land matters. In Abuja, this department is known as Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS).

How do you obtain a Certificate of Occupancy in Lagos?

Here are some of the documents you need to secure a certificate of occupancy in Lagos:

1. Land information certificate.
2. Receipt for land information fee.
3. Receipt for application form.
4. Publication/inspection fee.
5. Capital contribution (to be calculated based on the size and location of land).
6. Land purchase receipt/agreement (duly stamped).
7. Copy of current tax clearance certificate (individuals).
8. Copy of N100 development levy receipt.
9. Site location sketch.
10. Four passport photographs of applicant(s) with white background.
11. Copy of approved building plan (if developed).
12. Copy of tenement rate receipt (if occupied) or Land Use Charge.
13. Cover letter addressed to the Executive Secretary, Land Use Allocation Committee (LUAC), stating all documents attached, as above and typed with applicant’s address.

Benefits of Certificate of Occupancy

Apart from helping landowners to certify their claim of a lans, the C of O also helps them to avoid any form of reclaiming of land by the government. It isn’t only an ownership document, it is a safety document. Similarly, the availability of a C of O on a property increases the value of the land.

Overall, the C of O is an important title document; securing ownership of land and increasing the value of the property. It is a must have for every landowner across Nigeria.