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Ministry of Lands and Survey

Regularisation of Title

Regularise land held or developed without a statutory title — for example land bought under customary tenure and built on — and receive a C of O.

Who can apply

The person in possession, or their registered attorney.

  • The land is mine
  • I am applying for a company
  • I am the owner's attorney (registered power of attorney)

What you receive

A regularised Certificate of Occupancy (AB/LND/REGL/…).

What you will need

Your application asks only for what your answers call for. Clear scans or photographs (PDF, JPG or PNG) are fine.

  • Evidence of acquisition or possession Required
  • Sworn affidavit of possession Required
  • Holder's means of identification Required If you apply as: the land is mine / i am the owner's attorney (registered power of attorney)
  • Copy of the excision gazette Required If: Why the land has no statutory title is It was released (excised) from a Government acquisition
  • The Government allocation letter Required If: Why the land has no statutory title is It was allocated by Government but the title was never perfected
  • Copy of the survey plan Required If: Survey plan is It was registered before this platform — I will upload a copy
  • Photographs of the development Required If: Is there a building or structure on the land is Yes or Under construction
  • Approved building plan (if any) (optional) If: Is there a building or structure on the land is Yes or Under construction
  • Community or family attestation Required If: How the land was acquired is Customary grant (family or community)
  • Copy of the planning notice Required If: Has any planning notice or contravention been served is Yes
  • Certificate of incorporation (CAC) Required If you apply as: i am applying for a company
  • CAC status report (or Forms CAC 2 and 7) Required If you apply as: i am applying for a company
  • Board resolution authorising the application Required If you apply as: i am applying for a company
  • Approval for a non-Nigerian to hold land (if already obtained) (optional) If: Nationality is Not Nigerian
  • Court processes, judgment or settlement on the dispute (optional) If: Is the land the subject of a dispute or a court case is Yes
  • The mortgage or charge document (optional) If: Is the land mortgaged or pledged as security for a debt is Yes
  • Copy of the Government notice Required If: Has Government served any notice to acquire or revoke the land is Yes

How it is processed

  1. Registry vetting
  2. Survey check
  3. Site inspection
  4. Valuation
  5. BIR assessment and payment
  6. Legal review
  7. Director's recommendation
  8. Approval
  9. Governor's approval
  10. Issuance
  11. Release

Each stage is decided by the officer responsible for it, and approvals by officers who took no other part in the case. You are told at every step.

What is checked

  • The survey plan is registered, current and yours
  • No caveat, court order, pending suit or acquisition on the land
  • For an attorney: a registered power of attorney naming you, from the owner, covering this land and this purpose
  • No other application for the same land is open
  • The holder's tax clearance, and capital gains tax or stamp duty where the transaction attracts them (Board of Internal Revenue)