In a significant move aimed at streamlining property ownership and boosting investment confidence across the state, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu has sanctioned a 50 percent reduction in the fees required for processing Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and other essential land-related documents.
The new policy, disclosed by the Managing Director and CEO of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Chiwetalu Nwatu, on Saturday, is effective immediately. Nwatu characterized the discount as a major milestone in the Mbah administration’s broader agenda of people-oriented and investment-friendly reforms. The temporary discount window is set to run for 45 days, beginning on October 15, 2025, allowing landowners and investors the opportunity to obtain their C of O and other titles at roughly half the standard cost.
According to Nwatu, the initiative is designed to make property ownership more attainable for all residents, specifically targeting those who have previously struggled to afford documentation costs, including unregistered landowners, low-income earners, and the impoverished. “Governor Mbah believes every resident deserves a legitimate and secure claim to their land,” Nwatu stated, adding that the initiative powerfully reflects the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and economic empowerment for its people.
Beyond focusing on affordability, the policy is also designed to significantly increase land documentation compliance, enhance transparency within the system, and curb revenue leakages—a problem that has long hindered land transactions in the state. Nwatu reassured prospective applicants that the government has already streamlined the process, noting that, thanks to the full digitization of land processing, search, and related services, Certificates of Occupancy are now typically processed within a remarkable 48 to 72 hours. This automation has made the application and acquisition of land titles faster, easier, and markedly more transparent, eliminating unnecessary delays.
By easing access to vital land titles, Nwatu concluded, the government is not only strengthening fundamental property rights but also strategically positioning Enugu for rapid urban renewal and sustainable economic growth. The substantial 50 percent fee cut, he stressed, underscores the governor’s unwavering resolve to remove bureaucratic barriers, stimulate investor confidence, and promote widespread prosperity across the state. Residents are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of this limited-time opportunity by visiting the ENGIS office to process their documents and secure their land titles.
