metro

Nigerians can now access C of O within 24hrs – Fashola

Published

3 years ago

May 13, 2023

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola

Nigerians can now access C of O within 24hrs – Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has inaugurated the Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-CofO) saying that citizens can access their land titles and documents within 24 hours.

Fashola disclosed this at the unveiling of business process automation of certificates of occupancy for Federal Lands on Friday in Abuja.

He said the government was committed to reducing poverty and promote prosperity adding that the digitisation of the federal lands registry would help to increase the value of lands.

He said the generation of secured documents would be printed by the Nigerian security printing and minting to eliminate forgery.

The minister urged interested applicants to begin the process via https://lands.worksandhousing.gov.ng/.

“This is to make life better; the process that used to take three months will now take about 24 hours. As head of the ministry, I will stop carrying loads of documents every weekend with the new innovation.”

The minister, who recalled how he met land title applications dated 1992 upon resumption, stressed that the new process was part of the government’s commitment to reduce poverty and influence prosperity.

READ ALSO:

“Some of the things I wanted to share are the arrears of C of O that I had the opportunity to process when the president finally delegated the authority to the ministry. Some of the documents date back to 1992.

“So somebody has been waiting for years to get a C of O and it will interest you that I signed about 6,685 of them during my tenure.

“It may look invisible but this is a step towards prosperity. This is another layer of technology deployment and I urge you to embrace it and keep it going, long after we have leave.”

The minister further urged staff of the ministry to embrace the new change and work judiciously for the benefit of Nigerians as “old habits never die”.

The acting Permanent Secretary, FMWH, Mr Folorunso Esan, said the IT solution would enable the minister, permanent secretary, other relevant stakeholders have easy access to the automated business of the customised solution.

“The application will offer the minister an opportunity to digitally approve multiple CofO document using biometric authentication.

“As part of deploying a robust IT solution, the ministry has successfully integrated with TSA-Remita and FIRS platforms for seamless payment of land charges and stamp duty respectively.

“The web-based system would enable full audit on all staff actions thereby enhancing productivity, efficiency easy applications and payment real time.

“Status update of CofO applications secure verification of CofO documents; central, digital repository for all documents including digital archiving with indexing,” Esan said.

In his remarks, Mr Felix Appah, Director, Lands and Housing Development, FMWH said the automation would ensure efficiency and improve productivity as well as ensure transparency.

Appah said it would help to check any form of fraudulent activities which was prevalent in the analogue method of processing of title documents.

“The importance of issuance of C of O cannot be over emphasised because it encourages foreign investment in mass housing thereby stimulating the operations of small and medium-scale enterprises in Nigeria.

“It also serves as collateral for the holder to secure loans which will enhance economic development.

“Embracing this new development will reduce the time frame from an average of 90 days using the manual method to a 24 hours period (1 day). This will positively boost Nigeria’s ranking on ease of doing business,” Appah said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Executive Council approved the digital automation in 2021 and the contract was awarded in February 17, 2022 to Messrs. IQSS Limited.

NAN also reports that three beneficiaries received their e-CofO at the event they are; Alhaji Muhammed Usman, Mrs Yetunde Olao and Mr Femi Babafemi.

Nigerians can now access C of O within 24hrs – Fashola

Related Topics:C of O Fashola Featured Nigerians

Up Next

Rape allegation a set up; she’s my girlfriend, says Kwara medical director

Don't Miss

How doctor who raped patient in Kwara was secretly recorded – Police

metro

Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

Published

21 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid

Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

The Borno State Police Command on Monday successfully defused an unexploded bomb planted beneath a network mast in Chuskon, Federal Low Cost Area, Maiduguri, averting a potential security threat to residents.

According to Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Daso, the EOD-CBRN Base 13 unit responded promptly after receiving a report from the Divisional Police Officer, ITE Police Division. The explosive device, featuring two protruding wires, was rendered safe following standard bomb disposal procedures. Items including a hand plier, a T-shirt, and a pair of shoes were recovered at the scene, suggesting deliberate placement by unknown individuals.

READ ALSO:

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, has charged all Divisional Police Officers across the state to intensify patrols and fortify critical infrastructure, especially communication facilities, to prevent sabotage and maintain public safety,” ASP Daso stated.

Following the operation, the police held community sensitization and safety awareness sessions, urging residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious objects promptly, and collaborate with security agencies.

The command assured the public that the situation has been brought under control and that normal activities have resumed in the area. Investigations into the bomb plot are ongoing as authorities continue to strengthen measures to safeguard lives and property across Maiduguri and surrounding communities.

Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

metro

Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

Published

21 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Aisha Buhari

Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

A new biography, “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari” by Dr. Charles Omole, has unveiled the pivotal role of former First Lady Aisha Buhari in the removal of Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), amid attempts by influential Aso Rock aides to manipulate the 2023 APC presidential primaries for then Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The book, launched yesterday at the State House Conference Hall by President Bola Tinubu, details how aides close to former President Muhammadu Buhari presented fabricated “presidential orders” to security chiefs—including the IGP, DSS DG, and DG NIA—to deploy forces in favor of Lawan as the consensus APC candidate.

According to the biography, Aisha Buhari was a major instigator in Daura’s ouster, framing it as an early test of Buhari’s commitment to institutional propriety. When then-acting President Yemi Osinbajo approved Daura’s removal, Buhari refrained from intervening, emphasizing respect for the vice president and institutional authority.

READ ALSO:

Former IGP Usman Alkali Baba recounted a clandestine meeting ahead of the primaries, revealing how the security chiefs sought clarification from Buhari after being presented with the fake orders. The President reaffirmed his stance that Nigerians should freely choose their candidates, dismissing any attempts to manipulate the party’s process.

The biography also highlights a separate Villa incident where a family dispute escalated to gunfire involving a policeman linked to the First Lady’s office. Buhari’s Chief Security Officer Abubakar Idris arrested the officer, and the President held family members accountable, demonstrating adherence to law over personal ties.

The book launch drew high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nana Shettima, governors, traditional rulers, Aisha Buhari, and aides of the former president.

The revelations shed new light on Aso Rock power dynamics, the safeguarding of electoral integrity in the APC 2023 primaries, and the influence of Aisha Buhari in upholding institutional order within Nigeria’s security apparatus.

Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

metro

Four Suspected Bandits Killed, 13 Abducted in Kogi Shootout

Published

22 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Four Suspected Bandits Killed, 13 Abducted in Kogi Shootout

At least four suspected bandits were killed during a violent shootout in Ayetoro Kiri, a farming community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State, on Sunday evening, while 13 individuals were abducted, the state government confirmed on Monday.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the attack was part of a series of incursions by criminal elements fleeing bandit attacks in neighbouring Niger and Kwara States, prompting a coordinated security response in Kogi.

Local hunters reportedly fought back bravely, engaging the bandits in a gunfire exchange, neutralizing four suspects while others fled with injuries. Security forces, including soldiers from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Kogi State Police Command, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have been deployed to the area to track the escaping criminals and rescue the kidnapped victims.

READ ALSO:

Fanwo revealed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is coordinating with service chiefs to secure air support from the Nigerian Air Force to complement ground operations, strengthening the state’s effort to protect lives and property.

“The Governor is steadfast in preserving lives and property throughout Kogi State. Our security network has restricted the bandits’ movements, and we are winning the battle,” Fanwo stated, praising the bravery of local hunters and the cooperation of security agencies.

The recent attack follows another deadly raid less than two weeks ago in Irunda Ile, Yagba East LGA, where suspected bandits killed four people, including two vigilantes, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the state.

The Kogi State Government has reassured residents that a robust joint security team has been established, and continuous efforts are underway to rescue abducted persons and clamp down on criminal activities across the state.