Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has allocated more than 2,000 plots of land to beneficiaries over a two-day exercise, saying the initiative is aimed at expanding land ownership, reducing the housing deficit, and creating long-term wealth for residents across the state. The exercise forms part of the administration’s broader housing and land reform agenda.

According to the Kano State Government, the first phase of the allocation involved the presentation of land allocation documents to political appointees, including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Senior Special Reporters, Special Reporters, and Personal Assistants. The second phase saw polling unit agents, popularly known as Yan Akwatu, receive allocation documents, bringing the total number of allocated plots to over 2,000 within two days.

Governor Yusuf said the programme is intended to improve access to land ownership, empower families through property acquisition, and support efforts to address Kano State’s housing deficit. Represented by the Commissioner for Public Procurement, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Nura Iro Ma’aji, the governor said his administration remains committed to implementing programmes that benefit residents while fulfilling promises made to supporters.

The Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Umar, described the initiative as a significant step towards improving access to land and encouraging housing development. He urged beneficiaries to retain the allocated plots for future development rather than selling them immediately, noting that property ownership can serve as a valuable long-term asset.

The land allocation programme has attracted public attention, with supporters describing it as a strategy to expand homeownership and stimulate housing development, while critics have questioned the timing and selection of beneficiaries. Governor Yusuf has defended the initiative, maintaining that it is designed to reduce the housing deficit and improve citizens’ welfare through wider access to land ownership.

Housing experts note that increasing access to serviced land can support residential development and economic growth when accompanied by transparent allocation processes, infrastructure provision, and effective land administration. They argue that land allocation programmes are most impactful when beneficiaries are able to develop the plots into habitable housing and related infrastructure.

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Homeowners at Dr Sam Nujoma Estate in the Galadimawa area of Abuja have appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to intervene in what they described as persistent security threats, alleged assault, and extortion by the estate developer, El Salem Nigeria Limited.

In a petition submitted to the Legal Secretariat of the FCT Administration (FCTA), the Chairman of the Residents Association, Mr. Ifeanyi Echefu, stated that homeowners legally purchased their plots and developed their properties, stressing that they are property owners and not tenants.

According to Echefu, officials of El Salem Nigeria Limited have allegedly refused to relinquish control of the estate despite having exhausted available land for sale. He further accused the company of using private security personnel to intimidate, harass, and assault residents.

Dispute Over Estate Ownership and Management

Echefu explained that the estate is situated on Plot 21, Cadastral Zone C17, Industrial Area II, Abuja. He noted that the land was originally allocated to the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in 2007 before a sublease arrangement was entered into with El Salem Nigeria Limited.

He alleged that El Salem subsequently renamed the development as Dr Sam Nujoma Estate and engaged eight additional developers without obtaining the required approval from the FCTA.

The residents’ association further claimed that the land was designated in the FCTA development plan for student hostel accommodation and not for residential estate development.

Residents Seek Land Titles and Government Intervention

The homeowners urged the FCT Minister to facilitate the issuance of Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) to legitimate property owners within the estate.

They also called for urgent government intervention to resolve the lingering dispute and ensure the safety and security of residents.

FCTA Advises Police Action

In a related development, the Director of Investigation and Prosecution in the FCTA Legal Department, Joseph Eriki, reportedly advised the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest officials of El Salem Nigeria Limited and any individual claiming approval for land use outside its original educational purpose.

Eriki also accused the African University of Science and Technology of altering the approved land use without obtaining government authorization.

AUST Reacts

Responding to the controversy, the Country Director of the African University of Science and Technology, Mr. Adekoya Seyi, acknowledged the dispute and said efforts were underway to resolve the matter.

“We are not unaware of the issues. Discussions are ongoing and will soon be resolved. However, I am not going to yield to the demands of the FCTA Legal Department Director,” he said.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Executive Director of El Salem Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michael Onyebuchi, were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him were not returned at the time of filing this report.

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Oyo State is undergoing a significant transformation in land administration following the digitalisation of the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) process, a reform that is reshaping property ownership and improving investor confidence.

The initiative, introduced under the state’s Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, is designed to simplify procedures, enhance transparency and eliminate longstanding inefficiencies associated with manual land documentation systems.

Improving access and efficiency

Before the introduction of the digital C-of-O system, landowners and investors in Oyo often faced delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks and unclear processes when trying to secure legal ownership documents.

The new digital framework has streamlined application and approval processes, significantly reducing turnaround time and making it easier for individuals and businesses to obtain Certificates of Occupancy.

By automating key stages of the process, the system minimises human interference, thereby reducing the risk of errors and unofficial practices that previously slowed down land transactions.

Boosting transparency and investor confidence

One of the major gains of the digitalisation reform is increased transparency in land administration.

With improved documentation and traceability, landowners can now verify property records more easily, reducing disputes and enhancing trust in the system.

The reform has also strengthened investor confidence, particularly among real estate developers and businesses that rely on secure land titles for planning and financing.

A more predictable and efficient land registration process has positioned Oyo as an emerging destination for property investment.

Driving economic growth

The digital C-of-O initiative is not only a governance reform but also an economic strategy.

By simplifying land ownership processes, the government is unlocking opportunities for development, enabling landowners to leverage their property as collateral and attract investment.

In addition, the state has introduced land value capture mechanisms, ensuring that increases in land value—often driven by public infrastructure—translate into revenue that can be reinvested in development projects.

This approach supports fiscal sustainability while promoting inclusive growth across the state.

Reducing disputes and strengthening regulation

The digital system has also contributed to reducing land-related conflicts by providing clearer ownership records and standardised procedures.

With better regulatory oversight, authorities can monitor land transactions more effectively and ensure compliance with established guidelines.

This has helped curb fraudulent practices and improve overall confidence in the land administration system.

A model for modern governance

The digitalisation of C-of-O in Oyo reflects a broader shift toward modern, technology-driven governance.

By leveraging digital tools, the state is not only improving service delivery but also aligning with global best practices in land administration.

The reform highlights the role of innovation in addressing systemic challenges and delivering measurable outcomes in public service.

As Oyo continues to refine and expand the system, the digital C-of-O initiative is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of land ownership, urban development and economic growth in the state.

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BY IFEANYI ONUBA

A widow and her children are seeking justice at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja over their 2,500-square-metre family plot, which available information reveals was legitimately allocated to the family’s late patriarch, Mr Ayomide Fasan.

At the heart of the tussle is the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Owolabi Aderemi, who is laying claim to the same plot of land in Kaura District, Abuja, which the Fasan family insists was secured by their late patriarch as far back as the year 2000.

Documents obtained by THE WHISTLER showed that the land with Statutory Right of Occupancy No. FCT/ABU/OD.700, located at Plot 900, Kaura (B11) District, FCT, measuring 2,500 square metres, was originally allocated to the Fasan family on February 2, 2000.

Trouble started in 2004 when the original papers were stolen from the husband of the widow. The development prompted the family to file an “affidavit of loss” and also made newspaper publications for re-certification.

It was gathered that subsequently, the widow’s husband made an application to AGIS for re-certification of rights of occupancy dated December 13, 2004.

Application for Certified True Copies of the original documents was also made through the law firm of C.E. Manag and Co. on April 29th, 2005.

But since the filing of the application by the family, nothing was heard from AGIS, a development that made the law firm of C.E. Manag and Co.write a reminder letter dated August 21, 2006.

Following the reminder letter by the law firm, findings revealed that the Director of Lands in AGIS subsequently conveyed an approval to the application through a letter dated September 22, 2008.

However, further findings showed that due to administrative delays and bottlenecks at AGIS, the process of re-certification was not completed before the demise of the widow’s husband in 2011.

With the death of the widow’s husband, the records show that the family again made another push for recertification of the allocation of the land through another letter referenced OAK/DLA/KRA/015 dated October 6, 2022.

But surprisingly, during a follow-up of that letter for re-certification, the family was informed that the re-certification process had since been concluded and a Certificate of Occupancy had been conveyed.

“This was greatly shocking and dismaying to us because there is no evidence within our records that they ever received any such communication.

“The process of collection of a sensitive document such as a C-of-O, even when it was done by proxy, ought to have required a letter of authority from the original owner and a valid means of identification and face capture to be tendered.

But to our amazement, there was no record of compliance with such a mandatory procedure,” a source at the lands department who preferred not to be named said.

Upon the discovery, the family further undertook a routine physical visit to the land and then discovered that it had suddenly been fenced completely. A cement brick-making facility was also being operated on the property.

It was further gathered that this prompted the Fasan family to visit AGIS to conduct a preliminary search on the status of the land.

But to their further shock, they discovered another record in the file, in favour of a strange third party.

The search revealed that another file over the same plot was created sometime on the 25th of August, 2000, with file number OD 10089.

Based on this development, the family again wrote to the FCT Administration via a letter with reference OAK/DLA/KRA/016 and dated 17th July, 2023, and requested the placement of an administrative caveat over the land, which was promptly approved and implemented.

But despite the caveat placed on the land, the family alleged that those acting under the instructions of the Ondo State Deputy Governor proceeded with the “illegal construction”, thus undermining constituted authorities.

The Deputy Governor’s legal team is alleged to be relying heavily on constitutional immunity, a shield that protects him from prosecution while in office.

But beyond the legal crossfire, however, lies the personal anguish of a widow and her children. With every block laid on the contested site, a source told THE WHISTLER that they are reminded of a father’s dream being buried under bricks of injustice.

“This is not just about land; it is about dignity, memory, and the rights of ordinary Nigerians who must be protected from political predators,” the source said.

In his defence, the Deputy Governor, through his lawyers from Idi Danabubakar and Co., stated in a notice of preliminary objection submitted at the FCT High Court that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The lawyers argued that the defendant is currently the Deputy Governor of Ondo State and, as such, by virtue of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), enjoys immunity from the trial initiated by the family under the suit.

“The first defendant (Olayide Owolabi Adelami), immediately after his tenure as Deputy Governor of Ondo State, can then be subjected to the trial under the suit at hand,” the lawyers said in a court document sighted by THE WHISTLER.

Source: THE WHISTLER.

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