Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun
A property development company, Noble Grounds Limited, has criticised the rising cost of obtaining Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) in Ogun State after a developer reportedly received a ₦1.5 billion bill for processing title documents on a 50-acre parcel of land.
The company’s Managing Director, Olajide Dosunmu, said the documentation and associated charges for the land had initially been estimated at ₦50 million before the current state administration took office. However, following a prolonged suspension of C of O processing and its subsequent resumption, the developer received a revised bill of ₦1.5 billion.
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Dosunmu has urged the Ogun State Government to review its land documentation process, publish a clear fee schedule and explain the valuation methods used to determine charges. He warned that unpredictable title costs could discourage property investment, delay development and make it more difficult for local developers to compete.
Developer Questions Increase in Land Documentation Charges
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Dosunmu questioned the reported increase from ₦50 million to ₦1.5 billion, arguing that the government had not provided a detailed breakdown or clear valuation formula to justify the revised amount.
The reported bill represents a 30-fold increase over the initial estimate. The developer's concerns centre on the absence of predictable charges and the difficulty of assessing the financial obligations attached to land documentation before committing capital to a project.
Dosunmu said the prolonged suspension of C of O processing and the subsequent resumption had created uncertainty for developers seeking to formalise land ownership.
The company argued that land documentation costs should follow transparent and standardised rules so investors can estimate their obligations before beginning the process.
High Land Title Costs Could Affect Property Financing
The dispute raises broader concerns about the relationship between land administration, access to finance and property development in Ogun State.
A valid land title provides legal evidence of property rights and can support applications for bank loans and other forms of secured financing. Developers without completed title documentation may struggle to use their land as collateral, limiting their ability to raise funds for construction and expansion.
According to Dosunmu, uncertainty over documentation charges is slowing formal property development and encouraging informal construction. He also warned that high costs could place indigenous developers at a disadvantage compared with foreign investors with greater financial resources.
For housing developers, the cost of securing land titles forms part of the overall project expenditure. Significant increases in these charges can affect project budgets, development timelines and the financial viability of proposed housing schemes.
Noble Grounds Calls for Ogun to Adopt a Transparent Fee Structure
Dosunmu pointed to Lagos State's approach to land administration, where published land values and statutory charges allow applicants to estimate the cost of processing title documents.
He urged Ogun State to adopt a comparable system that provides published rates, location-specific valuations and clearly defined processing fees, including applicable stamp duties.
The company believes a transparent fee structure would reduce uncertainty for developers, improve investor confidence and make it easier to plan property transactions.
Dosunmu said industry stakeholders had also raised concerns about land documentation costs at a forum involving the Federal Minister of Finance, particularly during discussions on infrastructure and affordable housing finance.
Land Administration Remains Critical to Housing Investment
The concerns come as Nigeria continues to face challenges around land access, title registration and the cost of formal property development. Unclear documentation procedures and unpredictable charges can complicate transactions, restrict access to mortgage and development finance, and discourage investment in housing projects.
Ogun State operates its land administration services through the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS), which provides digital channels for applications, property registration, land searches and other title-related services. The state also publishes charges for specific services under its Property Registration Programme.
However, the specific ₦1.5 billion bill cited by Noble Grounds concerns a 50-acre land documentation process, and the reported account does not include a response from the Ogun State Government explaining the assessment or the charges.
The dispute highlights the importance of transparent land valuation, predictable documentation fees and efficient title processing. For Ogun's property market, clarity over these costs will remain important to developers assessing new investments, lenders evaluating land-backed financing and policymakers seeking to expand formal housing delivery.
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