Understanding Governor's Consent in Lagos State: The Vital Step After Buying Land
Emmanuel Synergy
Published June 07, 2026
What is Governor's Consent and Why is it Essential?
Under the Land Use Act of 1978, all land in Lagos State is vested in the Executive Governor, who holds it in trust for the public. This means that private individuals only own leasehold rights (typically secured via a Certificate of Occupancy). Therefore, any subsequent sale, transfer, or assignment of that land to another party requires the official consent of the Governor. This official approval is called Governor's Consent.
Without Governor's Consent, any deed of assignment, mortgage, or transfer of ownership you sign is legally incomplete and inadmissible in a court of law. Failing to secure consent leaves you open to fraudulent sellers who might re-sell the property to unsuspecting buyers who register their interest first. Securing this title is the single most vital step to protect your hard-earned capital in Lagos.
C of O vs. Governor's Consent: Understanding the Difference
A common point of confusion among investors is whether they need a Governor's Consent if they already have a C of O. The rule is simple:
- Certificate of Occupancy (C of O): This is the very first document issued by the government to lease land to an individual or corporation for 99 years. There can only be one C of O on a specific plot of land at any given time.
- Governor's Consent: If the person holding the C of O decides to sell the land (or part of it) to you, the transfer is documented via a Deed of Assignment. The Governor must officially 'consent' to this transfer. Subsequent transfers on the same land will continue to require Governor's Consent, build-up in a chain of title.
Step-by-Step Registration Checklist at Alausa Land Registry
Filing for Governor's Consent requires submitting a detailed dossier to the Land Registry at the Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. Make sure you compile the following documents:
- Completed Land Form 1C (duly signed by the purchaser and seller, and sworn before a commissioner for oaths).
- Four copies of the Deed of Assignment (with survey plans attached to each copy).
- Registered Survey Plan approved by the Lagos State Surveyor General's office.
- Photographs of the property showing its current physical state and surrounding environment.
- LIRS-verified Three Years Tax Clearance Certificate of both the seller and the buyer.
- Certified True Copy (CTC) of the seller's root of title (the C of O or previous Consent document).
- Evidence of payment of charting fees, administrative fees, and inspection fees.
Typical Fees and Costs Breakdown
The financial cost of securing Governor's Consent is calculated as a percentage of the assessed fair market value of the land by the Lagos State Government (not necessarily the price you paid). The fees include:
- Consent Fee: Typically 1.5% of the government-assessed land value.
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT): 0.5% of the assessed property value.
- Stamp Duty: 0.5% of the assessed property value.
- Registration Fee: 0.5% of the assessed value.
Combined, the official government fees hover around 3% of the assessed property value. Engaging a professional agency like Clean Beautiful Properties Limited ensures your valuation is charted correctly to avoid inflated government assessments.
Protecting Your Investment from Fraud
Always conduct a thorough search at the Alausa Land Registry to check for existing mortgages, court litigation cautions, or government acquisitions before parting with funds. Our dedicated legal team at Clean Beautiful Properties handles this entire due diligence process, from title searches to Governor's Consent registration, with absolute professionalism.
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