On Saturday, May 13, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, officially launched a new Business Process Automation of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for Federal Lands. This significant event, held at the Ministry’s conference room in Mabushi, Abuja, featured Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Minister for Works and Housing, unveiling the digital platform. The minister emphasized that this innovation would put an end to the previously cumbersome and time-consuming manual processes involved in C of O applications and signing, effectively eliminating the need for officials to carry large volumes of files for manual endorsement, even during weekends. He stated, "Our digital platform is meant to make life better, the thing that used to take three months will now be available in 24 hours." This transition signifies a major step towards modernization for Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation.

Before this digital transformation, the land acquisition process in developing nations like Nigeria was often fraught with challenges. The traditional method of obtaining a C of O was notoriously time-consuming and involved numerous, often superfluous, criteria that delayed what should have been a straightforward process. It was also an expensive undertaking, requiring applicants to submit an application to the relevant state government agency, along with extensive supporting documentation such as survey plans and proof of fee payments. The government agency would then conduct a series of checks and inspections, including site visits and document verification, a process that could span several months. The new digital platform directly addresses these inefficiencies by drastically reducing the processing time.

The newly introduced digital process brings several transformative solutions aimed at resolving the long-standing challenges associated with the manual system. One of the fundamental issues in the manual acquisition of C of O was the requirement for the Minister's physical permission or signature, which validates the certificate for Federal lands. With the new system, applicants can have their certificates validated and signed online. Minister Fashola highlighted that the application now offers him the ability to digitally approve multiple C of O documents using biometric authentication, significantly streamlining operations and eliminating the need for physical document compilation.

Furthermore, the Ministry has successfully integrated with the TSA-Remita and FIRS platforms to ensure seamless payment of land charges and stamp duty. This means individuals can now pay for all associated charges and fees online, doing away with the rigorous method of manually generating receipts. The e-CofO platform automatically calculates the payable amounts and provides an electronic channel for payment. Beyond just payments, the platform also empowers applicants to monitor the progress of their applications, allowing them to track the various stages their request has scaled through, offering transparency that was previously lacking.

Another crucial feature of the recently developed digital portal is its free C of O verification service. Historically, the authenticity of C of Os relied solely on the legitimacy of signatures, which are susceptible to fraud. This new system ensures that the validity of issued C of Os can be reliably checked, eliminating uncertainties and providing a well-established, simple approach for confirmation. Additionally, with cloud storage and indexing, issued C of Os can be quickly searched, located, and even re-issued in the event they are misplaced by their owners. Engr. Folorunso Esan, Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, noted that the project was awarded on February 17, 2022, and commended its successful implementation, stating it would boost public consumption and facilitate easier payments. While a user attempting to get a first-hand experience encountered a minor initial challenge with number verification, the overall expectation is that such issues will be swiftly resolved, allowing full access to the platform's benefits for all Nigerians.