Want to process your Certificate of Occupancy or just need a general knowledge of what it entails? Look no further.


What is Certificate of Ownership?

Certificate of Occupancy, generally called a C of O, is the document issued by State governments in Nigeria to landowners and property buyers as a legitimate proof of ownership after requirements have been met.

When buying directly from the State Government, the buyer is to start application for C of O as soon as the sale of the property is finalized as there is no doubt as to ownership or authenticity of the power to sell such land. Whereas when buying from families or the popular “omo onile”, it is compulsory to make findings to ensure that the property indeed belongs to the people claiming ownership to it.


Application for C/O

When buying directly from the State Government, the buyer is to start application for C of O as soon as the sale of the property is finalized as there is no doubt as to ownership or authenticity of the power to sell such land. Whereas when buying from families or the popular “omo onile”, it is compulsory to make findings to ensure that the property indeed belongs to the people claiming ownership to it.


Requirements for C/O In Lagos.

- Land information certificate.
- Receipt for land information fee.
- Receipt for application form.
- Publication/inspection fee.
- Capital contribution (to be calculated based on the size and location of land).
- Land purchase receipt/agreement (duly stamped).
- Copy of current tax clearance certificate (individuals).
- Copy of N100 development levy receipt.
- Site location sketch.
- Four passport photographs of applicant with white background.
- Copy of approved building plan (if developed).
- Copy of tenement rate receipt (if occupied) or Land Use Charge.
- Cover letter addressed to the Executive Secretary, Land Use Allocation


How to process C/O in Lagos

- File an application to obtain the land information from the Surveyor General’s office at Alausa. This process usually costs between #10,000 – #12,000
- Purchase of private certificate of occupancy application form.
- The application form is submitted with the above mentioned documents
- A publication is then made giving room to any person who wants to object to the application. This costs #10,000.
- The next step is the site inspection and report conducted by the Land Use Allocation Committee.
- Certificate of Occupancy is then drafted, typed, and submitted for recommendation for execution.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/mysidebrief/