Governor's Consent vs. C of O in Lagos: Crucial Differences Before You Pay

When investing in Nigerian real estate—particularly within Lagos State—understanding the legal distinction between a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and Governor’s Consent is paramount to safeguarding your capital. ### What is a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)? A Certificate of Occupancy is an official document issued by the State Government confirming that the person named therein has been granted a 99-year statutory right of occupancy over a specific piece of land under the Land Use Act of 1978. Importantly, a C of O is only issued ONCE on any given plot of land. ### What is Governor's Consent? Because a C of O is issued only once, any subsequent sale, transfer, mortgage, or conveyance of that land requires the official consent of the State Governor to be legally binding and recognized by law. This legal approval is termed Governor’s Consent. ### Which Title is Superior? Neither is inherently 'better'; rather, they represent different stages in land ownership history. A pristine C of O is direct from the government, while a Governor’s Consent on an existing C of O or Gazette validates secondary market transfers. ### The InsideOgbe Verification Standard At InsideOgbe, our in-house legal team conducts physical searches at the Lagos State Lands Bureau, Alausa, verifying the root of title, survey plan coordinates against government acquisition boundaries, and ensuring absence of pending litigation or undisclosed mortgages.