Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike signed 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy over three years, surpassing a 13-year record [1].
The surge in issued documents aims to resolve long-standing land tenure disputes and streamline administration in Nigeria's capital. By formalizing land ownership, the government intends to unlock economic value and reduce the bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously stalled development in the region.
This administrative push began after President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 [1]. The FCT administration has focused on clearing a massive backlog of pending applications to ensure residents and investors possess legal titles to their properties.
Land administration in the Federal Capital Territory has historically been slow, often taking years for a single application to be processed. The current volume of 26,272 certificates [1] represents a significant shift in the pace of government approvals compared to the previous decade.
Officials said the effort is part of a broader strategy to improve land administration and provide security of tenure for property owners. This process allows owners to use their land as collateral for loans, which can stimulate local investment, and construction.
The administration has worked to digitize and simplify the application process to avoid the delays that characterized the prior 13-year period. By accelerating these approvals, the FCT seeks to attract more formal investment into the capital's infrastructure.
“Wike signed 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy over three years, surpassing a 13-year record.”
The rapid issuance of land titles suggests a strategic move to formalize the real estate market in Abuja. By breaking a 13-year record of stagnation, the FCT administration is likely attempting to increase the city's creditworthiness and investment appeal, as legal land titles are essential for securing bank financing and preventing illegal land grabbing.
