C of O vs Governor’s consent in Nigeria.
If you’re thinking of buying land or property in Lagos, you’ve probably heard people throw around terms like “C of O” and “Governor’s Consent.”
It might sound confusing if you don’t really understand the difference between the two.
Some will say, this land has C of O, you’re safe. Others will say, Don’t worry, just process Governor’s Consent later.
There was a time a woman who wanted to buy 3bedroom duplex in Ajah was telling me that she was only interested in property that has C of O.
I tried to educate her on validity of Governor’s consent but she was so adamant. Though, I didn’t blame her. It was because she was misinformed.
5 Things You Must Understand About C of O vs Governor’s Consent in Nigeria
So what’s the real difference between C of O vs Governor’s Consent? And more importantly, which one actually protects your investment?
Here is the explanation;
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is a legal document issued by the government. The government has allocated the land is for a specific use (residential, commercial, etc.).
The owner has legal rights to occupy it for a fixed number of years (usually 99 years).
Governor’s Consent
Governor’s Consent on the other hand comes into play when land changes ownership. If someone who already has a C of O decides to sell the land to you, the law requires that the governor of the state must approve that transaction. The approval is what we call Governor’s Consent.
Governor’s Consent is the “approval of transfer” from the old owner to the new owner.
READ: 5 Facts You Must Know About Statutory Fees in Lagos Real Estate
C of O vs Governor’s Consent: What you should understand
1. C of O Is the Original Title Governor’s Consent Is a Transfer Title
This is the foundation you must understand. A certificate of occupancy (C of O) is issued when land is first allocated by the government. It shows that:
- The land is legally recognized
- The government has granted ownership
- The land can be used for a specific purpose.
On the other hand, Governor’s Consent comes in when ownership changes.
If someone who has a C of O sells to another person,the new owner will be given Governor’s Consent as the title document for legal tansfer.
2. Governor’s Consent Is Also A Legal Title
This is where many buyers get confused. Yes, Governor’s Consent can be the actual title of a property because land can change hands different times.
For instance: First owner gets C of O, Second buyer gets Governor’s Consent, third buyer gets another Governor’s Consent because there can only one C of O on a land. This is very common in places like: Ikeja, Lekki, Sangotedo, and Ajah.
READ: 5 Easiest Ways to Buy Property in Lagos
3. Governor’s Consent Is Not Substandard
Some people will say “If it’s not C of O, it’s not safe”, like the woman I discussed earlier, that’s not entirely true.
A valid and verified Governor’s Consent means, The government approved the transfer, the ownership is recorded, the transaction followed legal procedures.
Because even a “C of O land” can still have problems if not properly verified.
4. You Will Still Process Governor’s Consent in Your Own Name
This is something many buyers don’t realize. Even if the property you’re buying already has C of O, you are still expected to process Governor’s Consent in your own name.
Because legally, ownership must reflect the current buyer. The government needs to recognize you as the new buyer. This important if you want to resell or use the property for collateral.
ALSO READ: 5 Crucial Steps to do Due Diligence before Buying Property in Lagos
5. Your Real Protection Is Proper Documentation Not Just the Title Name
Don’t just focus on the title instead, ask the right questions:
Is the document verifiable at the Lands Registry? Is the land free from government acquisition?
If you are in Nigeria or abroad what you need to do is to prioritize verified titles, proper documentation process and using a trusted realtor to help you handle the process.
C of O vs Governor’s Consent are both tangible title. They are just simply different stages in land ownership.
Do you need help buying verified Property in Lagos or Ogun State?
Send me a message to me on WhatsApp, let’s make sure you don’t just buy land, you buy it right.
