C of O, Gazette or Governor’s Consent, Which One Do YOU Need?
If you’ve been asking questions about land in Nigeria, chances are you’ve heard terms like Gazette, C of O, or Governor’s Consent. And if you’re feeling confused, you’re not alone.
Many people don’t really understand what these documents mean or when they actually apply. Some think you must have all three. Others aren’t sure which one is real, or which one matters.
This post will help you make sense of them. You’ll learn what each one means, the difference between them, and most importantly how to know which one applies to the land you’re looking at.
Let’s break it down!
What is a Gazette?
A Gazette is an official record that shows land has been released by the government back to the original community or family.
When the government takes over land, they sometimes later decide to return part of it. When they do, they publish the details in a Gazette. This document proves that the land is no longer under government acquisition.
If someone tells you the land they’re selling is “Gazetted,” don’t just take their word for it. Ask for the specific Gazette number and page, and check that it matches the family or village claiming the land.
Also, make sure the Gazette is real. Some people carry around photocopies of fake documents. To be safe, confirm it with the Land Bureau or ask a trusted professional to verify it for you.
Owning land under a Gazette is legal and strong but only if the document is authentic.
What is a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)?
A Certificate of Occupancy often called a C of O is one of the most recognised land titles in Nigeria.
It’s a document the government gives to show that you officially have the right to use a piece of land. For residential or commercial land, this right usually lasts for 99 years. For agricultural land, it’s usually 25 years.
Think of it as a lease from the government. It means the land is now registered in your name and you’re the legal occupant for that period.
A C of O includes:
Your name
The land’s size and location
What the land is meant for (residential, commercial, etc.)
Conditions you must follow
Annual charges (called ground rent)
The date the lease starts
How do people get a C of O?
There are three main ways:
- Through Land Regularisation
This happens when someone buys land (often from a local family or community) that has no formal title. If the land isn’t under acquisition or already committed, the government can “regularise” it by giving a C of O. It’s like making informal ownership legal.
- Through Resettlement
When the government takes over a large area for development (like a Free Trade Zone), it may move the original residents to another place. As part of that process, the government gives them land and issues a C of O for the new location. You’ll see this in areas like Eyin-Osa, Abomiti, and Yegunda.
- Through Government Land Allocation
In this case, the government directly gives land to a person or company through official schemes (like Lekki Scheme I, Abijo GRA,
etc.). Once you meet all the requirements, you’re given a brand-new C of O.
Important to note:
A C of O is issued only once for a piece of land. If someone sells the land later, the buyer doesn’t get a new C of O. Instead, the buyer must apply for a Governor’s Consent and that’s what we’ll look at next.
What is Governor’s Consent?
Let’s say someone buys land directly from the government and gets a C of O. Later, they decide to sell that land to someone else. The new buyer can’t get another C of O because there can only be one for that land.
Instead, the new buyer must apply for Governor’s Consent.
This is the government’s way of saying, “We are aware of this new sale and we approve it.” Without it, the sale isn’t fully recognised by law.
Every time land with a C of O changes hands, the new buyer needs to get Governor’s Consent in their name.
This rule comes from Section 22 of the Land Use Act (1978). It states that land with a C of O can’t be legally transferred without the Governor’s approval.
A few key things to keep in mind:
Governor’s Consent is just as important as a C of O when land is being resold.
If the government finds out that consent was obtained through fraud, they can cancel it.
If you’re buying land through a court judgment, you can also apply for Governor’s Consent. In that case, the court judgment becomes the root title of the land.
So, if someone is selling land and says they already have a C of O, your job is to get the Governor’s Consent in your name after the purchase.
Final Thoughts: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Here’s a simple way to remember it:
If you’re buying land directly from the government, you need a C of O.
If the land already has a C of O and is being resold, you need Governor’s Consent.
If the land was excised to a family and listed by the government, ask for the Gazette and verify it.
Always ask questions:
How was the title obtained?
Is the document genuine?
Am I buying from the first owner or someone else?
Don’t assume a land title is valid just because someone says “it has a C of O.” The details matter and checking them can save you from big problems later.
In the next post, you’ll learn about the key documents you should collect when buying any land in Nigeria things like deed of assignment, survey plans, and contract of sale.
Until then, stay informed, ask the right questions, and always verify before you buy.
