Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) explained
4 min read
What a C of O is, what it proves, and what it does not.
Key points
- ✓ A C of O is the government's official proof of your right to occupy land, usually for 99 years.
- ✓ It's the strongest common title document, courts favour properly documented government titles.
- ✓ A C of O does not automatically make a resale valid; the transfer still needs Governor's Consent.
What a C of O is
A Certificate of Occupancy is an official document issued by the state government confirming a person's right to occupy and use a specific piece of land for a defined term, typically 99 years.
It is issued off a survey plan and carries a unique registration number, the holder's name, the land's description, and the term granted.
Why it's valuable
Nigerian courts consistently uphold properly documented government titles over informal or customary claims. A genuine, registered C of O is therefore the strongest everyday assurance that the land is real and recognised by the state.
It also makes the land easier to use as security for a loan and simpler to resell.
What a C of O does NOT do
A C of O in the seller's name does not, by itself, make their sale to you valid. When land with a statutory C of O is transferred, the new transaction still needs the Governor's Consent to be perfected in your name.
A C of O can also be forged. Always confirm it through a Land Registry search before paying, which is exactly what PlotSur's verification and registry checks help you do.
Put this into practice
Verify documents, confirm ownership and catch double-sales on PlotSur, or hire a vetted lawyer or surveyor.