In practice, a genuine C of O significantly strengthens ownership and makes a property easier to transfer, mortgage, or develop. However, not all C of Os are equal. Some are under government acquisition, some are subject to overriding interests, and others are outright forgeries. I once reviewed a file where a buyer proudly presented a C of O, only for our due diligence to reveal that the land was still part of an excised government acquisition. Without proper verification, that buyer would have paid millions for a document that offered little real protection.

Governor’s Consent and Why It Matters

Under the Land Use Act, land in Nigeria ultimately belongs to the state governor, and any transfer of interest in land that already has a title requires the Governor’s Consent. This is where many transactions quietly go wrong. Buyers assume that once a seller has a C of O, payment alone completes the deal. Legally, it does not.

Governor’s Consent is the formal approval that validates the transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. Without it, the buyer’s interest remains incomplete and vulnerable. In real-life terms, this means you may occupy the land, build on it, and even sell it, but legally, your ownership can be challenged. At Pryme Point Real Estate, we routinely encounter properties that look attractive on the surface but have incomplete consent histories, making them risky for serious investors.

The consent process may seem slow and bureaucratic, but it is one of the most important protections a buyer can secure.

Common Red Flags Buyers Ignore

One major red flag is pressure. When a seller insists you must pay quickly because “other buyers are waiting,” documentation is often being used to mask deeper issues. Another warning sign is inconsistent names across documents. If the name on the survey does not align with the name on the title or deed, clarification is required before any money changes hands.

Verbal assurances from agents or community representatives are also dangerous. Phrases like “the C of O is processing” or “government approval will come later” have trapped countless buyers. In one Abuja transaction I advised on, a buyer was told the consent was “almost ready” for over two years. By the time the truth surfaced, the land had been flagged during government enumeration.

Professional verification is not optional here. Proper searches at the land registry, surveyor-general’s office, and relevant government agencies reveal issues that are invisible to the untrained eye.

How Smart Buyers Protect Themselves

The safest approach to land acquisition in Nigeria is education backed by professional support. Buyers who understand the difference between a registered title and an unperfected interest ask better questions and make calmer decisions. This is why at Pryme Point Real Estate, land transactions are handled end-to-end, from sourcing and title verification to documentation and investment advisory. The goal is not just to help clients buy land, but to ensure that what they buy can be defended legally today and in the future.

As 2026 approaches, government scrutiny of land ownership continues to increase. The era of informal assurances is fading, and only properly documented property will hold long-term value.

The takeaway is simple but powerful: land titles are not obstacles, they are safeguards. When you understand them and work with professionals who respect the process, real estate becomes a tool for stability and wealth, not a source of fear.