Wike Slashes FCT C-of-O Fee: Now N3.5 Million, Down from N5 Million

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recently announced a reduction in the fee for issuing Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) for land plots in Abuja. This adjustment sees the fee drop from the initially proposed N5 million to N3.5 million. The decision comes in response to objections raised by stakeholders and key players in the real estate sector regarding the original fee.

In a statement released by the Director of Press in the Office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, Wike conveyed this information during his second monthly ministerial press briefing on November 24 in Abuja. The minister emphasized that the revised fee applies only to the issuance of new certificates and not to the re-certification process.

Wike clarified,

“Issuance of Certificates of Occupancy will now cost N3.5 million, a reduction from the previously proposed cost of N5 million.”

He further explained that individuals with existing C-of-Os need not pay this revised fee. For those seeking re-certification, the fee is capped at N50,000, and for corporate bodies, it stands at N100,000. This fee reduction aligns with recommendations provided by the Task Force established to address issues related to the certificate’s issuance in mass housing estates and the recovery of land use contravention fees.

The initial proposal of a N5 million fee by the Task Force faced considerable opposition from both the real estate industry and FCT residents. This dissent prompted the establishment of an interface between estate developers and residents’ associations, leading to the reconsideration of the fee.

Wike’s decision to lower the cost of C-of-O issuance is part of broader efforts to enhance transparency and security in land documentation. He revealed that the new certificates would incorporate advanced security features, including the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) for corporate organizations.

In a previous announcement, Wike disclosed that the FCT Administration had set the initial cost of a Certificate of Occupancy at N5 million. According to this earlier statement, applicants could make the payment within four months of land allocation, after which the C-of-O would be issued. Wike also expressed the intention to seek approval from President Bola Tinubu to link applicants’ National Identification Numbers to C-of-Os before issuance.

The minister emphasized the end of an era where multiple individuals were allocated the same plot of land with fake Certificates of Occupancy. This move towards a revised fee structure and enhanced security measures reflects a commitment to addressing concerns within the real estate sector and ensuring the integrity of land documentation in the Federal Capital Territory.