Josephine Ogundeji writes about the complexity of land documentation in Nigeria and how simplifying the process could unlock investment opportunities in the real estate sector. Land registration in the country faces numerous challenges, leaving many buildings without proper documentation and inhibiting investment in the market. Inefficient registration procedures, corruption, and bureaucracy are among the key complications.
Philips Ayotunde, Treasurer of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Lagos Chapter, explained that human involvement has exacerbated these challenges. He argued that streamlining and automating the process would reduce the need for human interaction, which often encourages corruption. “We should make things easier for people,” he said, noting that many would act honestly if the process were not cumbersome. Ayotunde called for digitisation, as practiced in developed countries, and urged the government to harness Nigeria’s talent in information technology to create user‑friendly software. He warned that without political will, enforcement remains difficult. According to him, corruption is pervasive; before a file can move between tables, a bribe is often required, and officials must be “rubbed” for signatures. Reducing human interfaces would encourage officials to perform their duties correctly. He also emphasized the need for public education on the process and for the government to stop making Nigerians scapegoats for fraud, especially regarding defective land titles. “Let us go digital,” he urged, adding that many officials discourage proper conduct by collecting bribes, and that integrity, credibility, and competence must be promoted in the civil service.
Fabian George, Co‑Founder of Cuddle Realty, echoed these concerns, noting that land documentation has hampered Nigeria’s economic development for decades. He highlighted that only about 20 % of houses have a Certificate of Occupancy, and that bureaucratic bottlenecks and time‑consuming procedures make legal ownership difficult. This situation hinders economic growth, investment, and the proper functioning of the real estate market. George argued that simplifying land documentation would generate revenue for the government by expanding the tax base, reducing registration time and costs, and encouraging more property registrations. Simplification would also curb fraud and corruption, enhancing governmental credibility. He suggested that digital technologies such as blockchain, Google Earth, and mobile platforms could streamline documentation, increase transparency, and boost economic growth.
Tade Cash, CEO of Wealth Island Properties, called on the government to simplify land documentation, linking the housing deficit to the difficulty of acquiring land titles. He asserted that the government’s indifference to housing perpetuates the deficit and that existing policies and the constitution normalize the problem. Cash explained that owning land involves more than purchase; it requires securing documentation for each parcel, a process that can be prohibitively lengthy for large developments. He warned that attempts to resolve documentation issues often attract land grabbers, further complicating matters. To tackle the housing deficit, he advocated for better utilisation of air space.
Benson Ajayi, CFO of Mixta Africa, said Nigerians are not prepared for the burden of land documentation. He stressed the importance of education in easing the titling process and advised buyers to purchase titled land from reputable developers. Ajayi highlighted the nexus between simplifying procedures, timely documentation, and government revenue.
Olamide Obaro, CEO of Landsalesng, described the typical timeline for obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or Governor’s Consent as six months to a year, often longer depending on various factors. He noted that those who can afford to spend large sums or have high‑level connections can accelerate the process, creating an unfair and hectic system. Registering property can involve up to eight steps. Obaro urged policymakers to review and reform land registration, recommending that land registries expand their data, offer new services, and adopt transparent, service‑oriented procedures using modern IT tools. He called for a shift from paper‑based services to electronic platforms, massive investment in IT infrastructure, and professional staffing to manage e‑land services, which could ultimately generate government revenue. He advocated for clear duties, specific timeframes, and financial empowerment of registries to improve performance, customer satisfaction, and quality control.
Akinwande Seyifunmi, Head of Sales Associates at Landsalesng, observed that the speed of the registration process depends largely on personal follow‑up and connections. She noted the absence of an official timeframe, with costs and relationships being major determinants, especially for obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy.
Ogundare Abiodun, Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Building, pointed out that land documentation is hampered by issues such as unpaid taxes, which can delay clearance for property owners. He affirmed that land titling is a significant challenge for developers and that digitising the process would simplify it while generating revenue for the government.
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