Wike signs record 26,272 C-of-Os, surpasses past two administrations

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, SAN, has recently signed a staggering 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) since May 2023, significantly surpassing the total of 8,697 C-of-Os issued by all previous administrations from 2010 to 2023. This achievement is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, as revealed by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister.

The swift progress of the Wike administration has streamlined the process, allowing land allottees to receive their documents within two weeks of completing payment, a stark contrast to the inefficiencies of past administrations. Olayinka noted that many beneficiaries of the 26,272 C-of-Os received their allocations more than a decade ago, demonstrating the administration's commitment to expediting the process.

Under the Wike administration, the fee for issuing C-of-Os for plots of land in Abuja has been reduced from N5 million to N3.5 million, a move in response to objections from stakeholders and key players in the real estate sector. This downward review applies only to the issuance of new certificates and not re-certification. The FCT is rapidly becoming a prime location for land acquisition and development due to its extensive road networks within the city center and surrounding areas.

In a bid to combat fraudulent activities, Wike announced the end of a period when three or more persons could be allocated the same plot of land with fake C-of-Os.