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Land Use Act (Cap L5, LFN 2004)
ActNigeria Source: Laws of Nigeria
PropertyLandReal EstateCertificate of Occupancy
Summary (Plain English)
Vests all land in a state in the Governor, who holds it in trust. Key points: 1) Governor grants statutory Right of Occupancy (C of O) for urban land. 2) Local government grants customary Right of Occupancy for rural land. 3) All land transactions require Governor consent for assignment. 4) C of O is the primary evidence of land rights. 5) No individual can hold a freehold interest. Foreign nationals can hold land only through Nigerian-registered companies or with Governor approval.
What This Means For You
- • All land is technically held by the state Governor
- • Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is the strongest title document
- • Governor consent required for all land transactions
- • No freehold — only leasehold (Right of Occupancy)
- • Due diligence and title verification essential before buying
Original Source
https://lawsofnigeria.placng.org/laws/L5.htmContent sourced from Laws of Nigeria. Always refer to the official document for authoritative text.
Not legal advice. This summary is for informational purposes only. ONIM does not store or republish full legal texts. Always consult a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.