As of December 31, 2024, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has signed 5,481 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O), marking a significant milestone in the administration of land titles.
This achievement was disclosed by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.
The figure represents a substantial leap compared to previous years, as it is 2,919 fewer than the total C-of-O signed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over 13 years, from 2010 to 2023.
Fast-Tracking Title Document Processing
Olayinka emphasized that under Wike’s leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, land allottees can now receive their C-of-O within two weeks of making necessary payments. This is a drastic improvement from the past, where processing often took years.
“One of the reasons land allottees were reluctant to pay for their C-of-O was the prolonged waiting period. But that has now changed. Uploading and verifying necessary information, which used to take months, is now completed within 72 hours,” Olayinka explained.
Historical Comparison of C-of-O Production
Highlighting progress over the years, Olayinka provided a breakdown of C-of-O production:
- May 2010 to May 2015: 5,655 C-of-O signed.
- May 2015 to May 2019: 1,174 C-of-O signed.
- May 2019 to May 2023: 1,571 C-of-O signed.
- May 2023 to December 2024: 5,481 C-of-O signed under Wike’s tenure.
Auto-Generated Notifications for Collection
To enhance efficiency, the FCT administration will soon introduce auto-generated SMS notifications to inform land allottees when their C-of-O is ready for collection. According to Olayinka, many allottees are unaware of the availability of their title documents, and this system aims to address that gap.
‘I Don’t Run From Fights’: Wike Affirms
In a separate development, Wike reiterated his commitment to his political stance, vowing not to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). “I don’t run from fights,” he declared, reinforcing his dedication to his role and political beliefs.
This dual approach of governance reform and steadfast political commitment highlights Wike’s strategic leadership in the FCT.
