Nasarawa State Issues Over 8,000 Certificates of Occupancy in Seven Years

The Nasarawa State Government has announced the issuance of more than 8,000 Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) over the past seven years as part of a strategic effort to formalize land ownership and reduce property disputes across the state.

The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, David Moyi, shared these figures on Monday during a ministerial press briefing held at the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service. According to Moyi, the administration has prioritized the rapid processing of land titles in all 13 local government areas to stimulate economic development and provide legal security for property owners.

Commissioner Moyi noted that the government has maintained a consistent pace, averaging over 1,000 certificates issued annually since 2019. He emphasized that the ministry has optimized its internal workflows to ensure efficiency, stating that a Right of Occupancy can now be processed within two weeks, while a Certificate of Occupancy typically takes between one and two months, provided all statutory requirements are met.

“The ministry is proactive,” Moyi stated. “Once documents are submitted and the necessary fees are paid, our technical directors work to ensure prompt processing. Delays are often limited to instances where applicants have not fulfilled their financial obligations.”

Beyond administrative efficiency, the government is looking to strengthen its legal framework to protect landowners. Moyi revealed that the ministry is currently collaborating with the Attorney General to draft an anti-land grabbing bill. The proposed legislation aims to provide a clear legal pathway for the prosecution of land offenders, moving beyond the current system of mediated resolutions.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, echoed these sentiments, urging residents particularly those in rural communities to formalize their land holdings. He stressed that state-led enlightenment campaigns are ongoing to educate the public on the benefits of land registration as a tool to prevent illegal encroachment and ownership conflict.