When buying land or property in Nigeria, you will encounter various types of title documents. Understanding what each means is critical to making a safe investment.
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
The C of O is the strongest form of land title in Nigeria. Issued by the state government, it grants the holder the right to use the land for a specified purpose (usually 99 years). It can be used as collateral for bank loans.
Governor's Consent
When a property with a C of O changes hands, the new owner must obtain Governor's Consent to transfer the right of occupancy. This is essentially a C of O for a secondary transaction.
Deed of Assignment
A Deed of Assignment is used to transfer ownership of a property. It must be registered at the Land Registry to be legally valid.
Gazette
Government-acquired land that has been released for sale is usually gazetted. A Gazette is an official government publication confirming the release and allocation of the land.