C of O - All You Need To Know About The Certificate of Occupancy by Dr. Adesina Mobarak Ademola
Do you know what a Certificate of Occupancy is or why it is deemed the most important document to a land owner or property buyer in Nigeria? A Certificate of Occupancy, also known as the C of O is a document issued by state governments in Nigeria to landowners and property buyers as a legitimate proof of ownership. This document also spells out what the land can be used for; residential, commercial or mixed development. The government is constitutionally mandated to issue the Certificate of Occupancy because all lands in the state are vested in the Governor of the State. This is clearly spelt out in the Land Use Act 1978. But why is it so important ? A parcel of land or property without a Certificate of Occupancy is as good as owning a vehicle without a logbook. This is not the kind of situation you want to find yourself as a landowner or property owner in Nigeria. In this article, we will shed light on everything you need to know about the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) ...