Kano Extends CofO Recertification By 60 Days, Vows To Sanction Defaulters

Kano State Government has announced a 60-day extension for the ongoing recertification of Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) in the state.

The state government also warned that landowners who fail to comply within the new timeframe risk forfeiting their property titles in line with existing land regulations.

Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Kano.

He said the latest extension follows the expiration of the earlier April 1, 2025 deadline, which was shifted from January 24 to accommodate the Eid holiday and give residents more time.

Umar added that despite these extensions, there was continued low turnout of property owners for the exercise.

“Since the commencement of this initiative by His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on November 25, 2024, we have so far documented 241,025 properties across the six major metropolitan local government areas—Nassarawa, Fagge, Tarauni, Dala, Kano Municipal, and Gwale,” Umar disclosed.

He described the ongoing enumeration exercise as crucial to building a reliable land database, which will aid government planning, revenue assessment, and infrastructure development.

“This process helps us know who owns what, how the land is being used, and where infrastructure gaps exist,” he explained.

In order to ensure compliance, the commissioner warned that names of non-compliant landowners will soon be published in national dailies and displayed on notice boards at key government locations including the Kano State Library, Audu Bako Secretariat, Gidan Murtala, and the State High Court.

Umar added that the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS) will continue offering support through online platforms, helplines, and physical service centres to ease the recertification process for applicants.

He also revealed that the ministry was set to introduce Sectional Titling in the state, a policy aimed at simplifying land documentation for properties in estates, plazas, flats, and markets.

Reiterating the government’s resolve to reform land administration in the state, the commissioner urged residents to take advantage of the extended deadline to regularise their property documents and secure legal ownership.