Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has unveiled a groundbreaking reform in land administration with the official rollout of a fully digital recertification system for Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and Rights of Occupancy (R of O).
The landmark initiative is designed to eliminate forgery, curb fraud, and secure property ownership records through advanced technology.
Announcing the new development in Sokoto on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Barrister Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho, said the digital transformation will guarantee secure, verifiable, and durable land documents for every property owner in the state.
According to him, the Sokoto Geographical Information System (SOGIS) is driving the reform, marking a historic departure from outdated analogue methods that have long exposed land administration to inefficiency and corruption.
He emphasized that the new system would restore public trust and confidence in property documentation.
The Commissioner revealed that the digital certificates will carry advanced security features, including embedded property details, passport-sized photographs of owners, and precise geographical coordinates.
These innovations, he noted, will make the certificates tamper-proof and credible for legal transactions, loan applications, and other official engagements.
“The recertification process covers both existing landowners with old documents and new applicants seeking authentic certificates.
“It is transparent, user-friendly, and tailored to safeguard property rights for the long term,” Dantsoho explained.
Highlighting the durability of the documents, he said the certificates are produced with acrylic-based materials, making them resistant to water damage, tearing, or fading.
“The integrity of the information cannot be erased or compromised under any condition,” he stressed.
Dantsoho underscored that the reform represents a deliberate migration from analogue to digital systems, aligning Sokoto with international best practices in land governance.
He added that the project comes with attractive incentives, including discounts on ground rent for early subscribers.
The Commissioner explained that the recertification covers private homes, commercial properties, banks, and corporate institutions.
Owners of old certificates, grants, or allocation letters are eligible to migrate into the new digital system upon payment of prescribed fees.
Although the exercise is not mandatory, he strongly urged property owners to embrace the scheme, arguing that beyond securing individual assets, the project will boost state revenue and empower government to expand infrastructure and public services.
Subsidized fees were specifically placed for holders of C of Os, depending on the category of the property and the certificate to be renewed.
He further announced a compliance grace period running from 11 August to December 31, 2025. Property owners who complete recertification within this window will be exempt from paying backlog arrears of accumulated ground rents, as their records will be fully reset under the digital system.
Driving the reform is Dr. Almustapha Bello, the Lead Consultant of the Sokoto Digital Recertification Project, whose expertise underscores the government’s determination to anchor land management on innovation and technology.
With this ambitious step, Sokoto State has positioned itself as a pioneer of technology-driven land administration in Nigeria, fostering transparency, strengthening investor confidence, and securing land assets for future generations.
