How Long Does It Take to Get C of O in Ogun State?
Introduction
A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is one of the most important legal documents you can have if you own or intend to own land in Ogun State. It confirms that the state government recognizes you as having a statutory right of occupancy over a parcel of land. Having a valid C of O not only secures your ownership rights, but also gives you legal standing for development, construction, using the land as collateral, or selling with confidence.
Yet, one of the questions prospective landowners always ask is: How long will it take to obtain a C of O in Ogun State? This is a crucial question—because time is money, delays are costly, and uncertainty can discourage investment or lead to frustration, lost opportunities, or worse (especially in real estate, where timing often has big financial consequences).
In this article, we’ll explore everything about the timeline: what the laws say, what the government promises, what people actually experience, what slows things down, what speeds things up, and what you can do to shorten the waiting period. By the end, you’ll know what to expect, how to prepare, and how to avoid delays. We’ll finish with a call to action—in other words, things you can do right now to move your application along.
Legal & Institutional Context: What Ogun State Says
To understand timeframes, we need to know what the government of Ogun State has officially set as targets, what systems are in place, and recent reforms that affect processing of C of O.
Ogun State has introduced OLARMS (Ogun State Land Administration & Revenue Management System), an online portal for land administration (allocation, titling, ratification, etc.). This is meant to streamline many steps of title document services. The Will News+2The Nation Newspaper+2
The State government has assured that the processing of Certificate of Occupancy and other title documents will not take longer than 28 days, given that all required documents are submitted properly. Tribune Online
Previously, there was an announcement that Ogun opens its land portal (OLARMS) to issue C of O in 30 days for some categories of applicants, particularly those who have built on government‑acquired land and are regularizing via home‑owners’ charter or ratification efforts. The Nation Newspaper+2The Will News+2
So, officially, the target is about 28–30 days, assuming everything is in order. But real‑life experience often varies, depending on many factors—which we’ll dive into.
Typical Timeframes: What People Actually Experience
Even though the government targets are 28–30 days, in practice the time it takes to get a C of O in Ogun State can vary widely. Some people get their C of O in a month; others wait for several months or even longer. Some of the variation arises from:
Completeness of documents
Whether survey plans are already approved
Whether there are overlapping claims, boundary disputes, or government acquisition issues
Whether consents (e.g. Governor’s Consent) are required and obtained on time
There are reports / statistics that suggest in some cases where documentation is not complete or where there are complications, the process can drag. I found a reference suggesting that in Ogun, as elsewhere in Nigeria, some people believe it may take three to four years if there are serious delays or missing paperwork. CKN News
But those long delays tend to be the exception rather than the rule—especially now with OLARMS and government promises. If everything is in order, and your application is well prepared, you should expect somewhere between one month (≈ 28‑30 days) and two to three months in many cases.
Factors That Affect How Long It Takes
To understand why timeframes vary, here are the key factors that can speed up or slow down the process.
| Factor | How It Can Speed Up the Process | How It Can Cause Delays |
|---|---|---|
| Completeness of Documents | When you have all required paperwork (valid survey plan, proof of ownership, identities, receipts, consent if needed etc.) up front, the application flows more smoothly. | Missing survey plan, unapproved or outdated plan; missing deed or proof of purchase; inconsistent names or errors in documents. |
| Survey Plan Approval / Boundary Marking | If the survey plan is already approved or requires minimal adjustments, and boundary beacons are in place, the survey & field verification step is faster. | Surveyor backlog, physical boundary issues with neighbors, re-surveys required, plan not approved or missing signatures. |
| Governor’s Consent / Other Approvals | If consent is not needed, or if required consent is straightforward and submitted properly, time is saved. | Delay in getting consent; delay in planning approvals; environmental / town planning objections; government acquisition notices. |
| Site Inspection / Physical Verification | If authorities can access site easily, boundaries are clear, neighbours cooperative, and land use is unambiguous, inspection is faster. | Remote location; lack of access; boundary disputes; overlapping claims; missing beacons; poor landmarks. |
| Use of OLARMS / Digitization | Digital portals help reduce manual steps, allow tracking, reduce multiple office visits, reduce lost files. | If the applicant is not familiar with the portal; if there are glitches or system downtime; if parts of process still require manual, physical processes. |
| Government Workload / Office Capacity | When staffing and capacity are sufficient; when the office has good coordination between survey, planning, lands, consent, registry etc. | Backlog of applications; understaffed or under‑resourced offices; coordination delays between departments. |
| Dispute or Objection | If no one objects or disputes ownership, process flows. | Objections, overlapping claims, litigation. These can greatly lengthen the time. |
| Compliance with Regulations | When applicant observes all regulations (zoning, environmental, rates, etc.), things go more smoothly. | Non‑compliance; missing approvals; need to correct or regularize; failure to pay fees; missing payments. |
What the Government Promises / Official Benchmarks
From what I found, here are the official or policy statements / benchmarks relevant to Ogun State and similar states, which affect expectations on timing.
28‑day benchmark in Ogun
The government of Ogun State has stated that the processing time for C of O and other title documents will not take longer than 28 days, provided that the applicant submits all required documents correctly. Tribune Online30‑day timeline via OLARMS / LAND Portal
When Oliveira (OLARMS) was launched, it was announced that in many cases applicants will be able to get their title documents, including C of O, within ~30 days, especially for those regularizing via the portal. The Will News+1One‑month moratorium / drive to allow people whose lands are under government acquisition to apply for ratification, title regularization etc. This was part of OLARMS / Evergreen Estate Acquisition / Home Owners Charter windows. That suggests the government intended to clear a class of pending applications within a short window. The Nation Newspaper+1
These official benchmarks show the government’s target is roughly 1 month under ideal conditions.
Scenarios: Fast Track vs Delayed – What to Expect
Here are some hypothetical / realistic scenarios illustrating how long different cases might take, depending on the factors above.
| Scenario | Everything in Order (Fast Track) | Some Issues / Typical Case | Complex Case (with Delays) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New applicant, all docs ready, no boundary disputes, no acquisition, no need for extra approvals | ~28‑30 days – applicant applies via OLARMS or Lands Bureau, survey plan approved, site visited, consent if required, C of O issued. | ~2‑3 months – minor corrections, survey plan tweaks, minor boundary or names discrepancies; small delay in consent or inspections. | 4‑12 months or more – requirement to resolve boundary disputes, overlapping claim, missing survey plan, government acquisition issue, legal objections. |
| Regularizing existing informal title / ratification / Home Owners Charter | ~30 days if ratification programme window open and applicant meets criteria. | 2‑4 months if survey needs updating or payments or legal issues. | 6 months or more if many outstanding obligations, missing documentation, or resistance / contestation. |
| Land under acquisition / contested, or large plot with development involved | Possibly 1‑2 months if everything is clear. But more likely 3‑6 months or over a year. | Several months (6‑12); feel frustrated by frequent follow‑ups, corrections. | Very long delays: litigations, government land policy, survey backlog; may take more than a year. |
Pitfalls That Cause Delay & How to Avoid Them
Knowing what often causes delays helps you avoid them. Here are common pitfalls, and what you can do to minimize them.
| Pitfall / Delay Source | How It Causes Delay | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete documents | Application is held up until all required documents are submitted; missing survey plans, incorrect IDs, inconsistent names, missing payments cause returns or pauses. | Before you apply, gather all required documents; check with Lands Bureau or via OLARMS for the checklist; verify the survey plan status; get IDs ready; ensure receipts of previous payments are valid. |
| Survey plan issues | Outdated survey, unapproved plan, missing beacons, boundaries not clearly marked or accessible. Surveyor backlog; physical issues on ground cause repeated visits. | Engage a reputable registered surveyor early; ensure the plan is approved; verify boundary markers; physically inspect land; ensure surveyor lodges plan approval with surveyor‑general. |
| Governor’s Consent / Other Approvals missing or delayed | If consent isn’t secured, the application may be held; sometimes the process to get consent is separate and slow; planning, environmental or town approvals may delay. | Find out ahead whether your case requires consent; begin that process simultaneously; get any other approvals in parallel if possible; follow up regularly. |
| Objections / Overlapping claims | If neighbours or other claimants object, or if boundaries overlap, process may be delayed until dispute is resolved; may require court cases. | Do land search early; consult neighbours; view registry records; try to clear any overlapping claims beforehand; be proactive. |
| Government acquisition issues | If land has been acquired by government (or part), or is under notice for acquisition, or falls under acquisition zones, then issuance may be held or special ratification needed. | Check status of land acquisition; use OLARMS to see whether land is under acquisition; consider ratification schemes if available; ensure government notices are cleared. |
| Staff / Office delays / bureaucratic bottlenecks | Backlog of applications; understaffed offices; delays in site inspection or plan approval; interdepartmental delays (survey, planning, registry). | Submit properly, in full; monitor your application; keep in contact with relevant offices; consider using professional assistance like lawyers or agents who know the process; leverage OLARMS for tracking; avoid agents who promise shortcuts. |
| Payment / fee complications | If some fees not paid, receipts missing, payments not properly recorded; failure to pay stamp duty or registration fees on time. | Budget for all expected fees; get official receipts; ensure payments are made properly; keep records; request demand notices where applicable. |
How to Expedite / Reduce Waiting Time
There are several strategies you can employ to reduce the time it takes to get your C of O.
Use OLARMS Portal and Digital Channels
OLARMS is designed to reduce manual processes, enable online application, payments, tracking. Using the portal properly can reduce delays. Make sure you understand the steps, upload correct documents, follow up as needed. The Will News+2The Nation Newspaper+2Submit Complete & Correct Documents Upfront
Before you apply, double‑check every required document: IDs, survey plan, proof of purchase, deeds/assignment, previous receipts, any required consents. Make sure names are consistent, survey plan is approved. Avoid submitting documents with errors that require revision.Hire Professionals
Engaging a land lawyer, a registered surveyor (who knows the local process), or a land consultant can help avoid mistakes, ensure documents are correctly prepared, avoid missing approvals, follow up on time.Simultaneous Processing of Parallel Requirements
While waiting for the survey plan, you could already arrange consent (if required), check for acquisition status, pay ground rent or rates, clear tax or other statutory obligations. Doing parts in parallel saves cumulative time.Follow Up & Track Status
Use portal tracking (if available via OLARMS), or visit or call the relevant offices to check status. Be responsive to any requests for corrections. Don’t assume silence means “all good”—sometimes your file is held up because of missing action.Avoid Disputed Land / Overlaps if Possible
Choosing land that has a clean title history, clear boundaries, no ongoing acquisitions or disputes will significantly reduce risk of delay. If possible, do a registry search, talk to neighbours, check site physically.Make Payments Promptly and Get Receipts
As soon as you get demand notices, pay the required fees. Keep receipts. Delayed or incomplete payments often cause applications to stall. Sometimes some fees expire if not paid in a certain period.Be Organized for Inspections
Ensure your land is accessible; boundary beacons are visible; neighbours are cooperative; you or your representative available when surveyors or officials come for site inspection. Avoid missing appointments.
Comparative Insights: How Ogun Compares with Other States & What That Tells Us
It helps to see how Ogun’s timeline stacks up relative to other Nigerian states, as this gives perspective on what is feasible and where delays commonly occur.
For example, in Anambra State, the government has said a private landowner can obtain a C of O in 30 working days, provided that the documents are complete. Peoples Gazette Nigeria+1
In Osun State, there is a “C of O in 45 Days” initiative, where the survey clearance and issuance processes are being automated to reduce delays. Tribune Online+2CityMirrorNews+2
Ogun, by comparison, aligns with these states in its target of ~28‑30 days under OLARMS and government assurances. Given adequate preparation, it seems possible.
So Ogun is in the same class of states that are trying to reduce waiting times significantly through reform, digitization, and process streamlining.
What to Do If It Takes Longer Than Expected
Even with preparation, delays may happen. If your application is taking longer than the promised timeframe (28‑30 days or more), here are steps you can take:
Inquire directly: Visit or call the Bureau of Lands & Survey / OLARMS office to ask for updates. Ask what component of your application is holding things up.
Check whether documents are all complete: Sometimes delays are because of missing approvals, incomplete survey, missing payments, or mismatches in names or plans.
Check for external issues: Is there any acquisition happening? Any neighbour or community objection? Any environmental or town or zoning issues?
Seek help of professionals: A lawyer or land consultant familiar with the local bureaucracy can help chase the application, find where it is stuck, sometimes get approvals faster.
Escalate where necessary: If you believe there is undue delay or that official promises are not being met, consider contacting higher level officials (e.g. office of governor’s special adviser on lands, or a land administration ombudsman or similar).
Keep documentation: Write letters, keep receipts, track your interactions; you may need records if disputes arise.
Real Stories / Testimonials (if available)
In practice, many people’s experiences vary widely. Here are some illustrative stories or typical testimonials (anonymous or generalized) you might hear, which help ground expectations.
Someone who applied with all documents ready, survey plan approved ahead, and no acquisition issues gets their C of O in ~ 30 days.
Another person whose survey plan was outdated, boundary beacons missing, names on documents inconsistent spends 3‑4 months correcting documents, re‑surveying, waiting for consent.
A homeowner whose land is part of a government acquisition or has overlapping claim may wait 6‑12 months or more, depending on the complexity of resolving legal, survey, or acquisition matters.
These stories underscore that the “28‑30 day” promise is realistic only when the ancillary requirements are satisfied.
Summary: What You Should Expect & Plan For
Putting together all the information above, here is what you should plan for in terms of timeframe when applying for a C of O in Ogun State:
Best case scenario (everything in order): 28‑30 calendar days.
Typical scenario (some minor corrections or standard approvals needed): 2 to 3 months.
More complex / problematic scenario (boundary disputes, acquisition, missing documentation): 3 to 6 months, possibly longer.
Very complicated scenario: potentially 6 months to over a year, especially where legal or survey issues, community objections, or multiple governmental approvals are required.
So, when someone says “I want a C of O in 1 month” – that is plausible, but only under favorable conditions. Always build in extra time in your plans for real estate or development projects.
Checklist: Preparing to Ensure C of O is Issued Quickly
Here is a checklist you can use to make sure you maximize your chances of getting the C of O within the promised or expected timeframe:
Verify you have the correct title / proof of ownership (deed, deed of assignment, purchase receipts etc.)
Ensure survey plan is valid / approved; boundary markers in place; up‑to‑date plan
Confirm whether Governor’s Consent is required, plan that process if so
Gather all your identification documents properly, name consistency, valid IDs/photos etc.
Ensure all fees and payments are ready; pay demand notices; get receipts
Use OLARMS portal if possible for application, payment, tracking
Make land accessible; allow for inspections; ensure surveyors can access beacons; coordinate with neighbors where necessary
Double‑check everything before submission to avoid return for corrections
Follow up with authorities periodically; track status
Avoid land with known overlapping claims or acquisition notices if possible