FCT Administration says streamlined land documentation process now enables allottees to receive C-of-O within two weeks after completing required payments
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that a total of 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) have been produced and signed since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
The figure represents a significant increase compared with the 8,697 Certificates of Occupancy produced and signed in the FCT between 2010 and 2023.
The development highlights the FCT Administration’s efforts to accelerate land documentation and improve the ease of doing business in Abuja.
According to the administration, many beneficiaries of the 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy had received their land allocations more than a decade ago but were unable to obtain the necessary title documents within a reasonable period.
The FCTA explained that delays in obtaining Certificates of Occupancy had affected property owners and small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those seeking to use their properties as collateral for commercial loans, mortgages and business expansion.
The administration said it has now streamlined the land documentation process, allowing allottees who complete the required payments to receive their Certificates of Occupancy within two weeks.
An automated notification system has also been introduced to inform land allottees when their documents are ready for collection.
The FCT Administration attributed previous delays to inefficiencies in the land documentation process, which it said discouraged some landowners from completing their payments.
The figures released by the administration show that 5,500 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, while 3,197 were produced during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In comparison, the current administration has recorded 26,272 signed Certificates of Occupancy since May 2023.
Beyond Certificates of Occupancy, the FCT Administration said it has also granted 2,521 Consents to Assign and 177 Consents to Mortgage over the last three years.
The development is expected to provide greater certainty for property owners and improve access to financing for businesses and individuals with legitimate land holdings in the Federal Capital Territory.
The latest figures come amid ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to reform land administration in Abuja and make property documentation more efficient for residents, investors and businesses.
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