FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued and signed 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, describing the development as part of ongoing efforts to improve the ease of doing business and strengthen access to property ownership in the nation’s capital.
The figure, signed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is significantly higher than the combined 8,697 Certificates of Occupancy issued between 2010 and 2023.
A breakdown released by the FCT Administration showed that 5,500 C-of-Os were issued during the five-and-a-half-year administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, while 3,197 were produced and signed throughout the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the administration, many beneficiaries of the 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy had received land allocations more than a decade ago but were only able to obtain the vital ownership documents under the current reforms.
The administration noted that Certificates of Occupancy play a critical role in economic activities, as they serve as recognised collateral for commercial loans, mortgages and business expansion financing. Delays in obtaining the documents have long limited access to credit, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the administration had simplified the documentation process, enabling land allottees to obtain their Certificates of Occupancy within two weeks after completing all required payments.
> “The moment necessary payments are made, land allottees can now get their C-of-O within two weeks.
> “Also, an automated notifications has been introduced to ensure that land allottees are informed when their documents are ready for collection,” Olayinka said.
He explained that delays experienced under previous administrations were largely due to administrative inefficiencies, which discouraged many landowners from completing the payment process.
Beyond the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, the FCT Administration also disclosed that it granted 2,521 Consents to Assign and 177 Consents to Mortgage during the first three years of President Tinubu’s administration.
The figures compare with 753 Consents to Assign and 180 Consents to Mortgage approved during the Jonathan administration, as well as 684 Consents to Assign and 164 Consents to Mortgage granted during President Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
A Consent to Assign is the legal approval required for the transfer or sale of property rights, while a Consent to Mortgage authorises the use of landed property as collateral for obtaining loans. According to the administration, improving access to these approvals is expected to further enhance property transactions and stimulate business activities in the FCT.
