Plateau State Government has enacted significant reforms in its land administration system, drastically reducing the processing stages for Rights of Occupancy (R of O) and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) from 46 to 25. This strategic move is part of a broader initiative to modernise land management and enhance the ease of doing business within the state, a development of considerable interest to legal practitioners, compliance officers, and corporate investors.
Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Barr. Peter Nyam Gai, announced these reforms during a media briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos. As reported by National Accord on June 17, 2026, Gai detailed how these changes are designed to dismantle bureaucratic hurdles, elevate service delivery standards, and cultivate a more efficient and investor-friendly land administration framework. The ministry, he noted, inherited a challenging landscape marked by insufficient operational tools, a stagnant Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, inadequate logistics, low staff morale, revenue leakages, and protracted service delivery timelines.
In response to these inherited challenges, the administration has prioritised institutional reforms centred on digitisation, innovation, and enhanced customer engagement. “As part of our land administration reforms, we have gradually eliminated manual processes through digitisation and reduced workflow stages for processing Rights of Occupancy and Certificates of Occupancy from 46 to 25 stages,” Barr. Gai stated. Further innovations include the introduction of electronic signatures for Certificates of Occupancy, the redesign of land documents with advanced security features, and the establishment of a centralised dispatch system to optimise efficiency and service delivery.
To bolster operational capacity, the ministry has appointed two additional Deed Registrars and improved the dispatch of demand notices through dedicated riders. Furthermore, rebates and incentives have been introduced to encourage compliance and support entities seeking land-related services. These reforms are reportedly already demonstrating tangible benefits, including accelerated service provision, increased public trust, and improved revenue generation.
Beyond streamlining title processing, the ministry has proactively acquired land to support both state and federal government industrial zones, signalling a commitment to stimulating economic growth and attracting investment to Plateau State. In the realm of survey and mapping, operations have been strengthened through collaborations with licensed surveyors and professional bodies, focusing on restoring survey control signals and ensuring adherence to cartography standards. The procurement of modern computer systems and additional software licences, alongside the development of in-house solutions, aims to mitigate processing delays and advance the ministry’s digital transformation agenda.
In physical planning, the ministry has been instrumental in developing the Greater Jos Master Plan, encompassing several local government areas, and has contributed to master plans for key urban centres. Development control has also been enhanced through the strategic use of aerial imagery, digital mapping, and geographic coordinates for site inspections, providing a more robust oversight mechanism for development projects.
Revenue generation has seen a significant uplift through automation and enhanced accountability measures, effectively closing revenue leakages. Barr. Gai highlighted that these improvements have not only boosted internally generated revenue but have also fostered greater public confidence in the ministry’s services, enabling more effective resource utilisation. A functional customer call centre and front desk services have been established to improve public interaction and complaint management, while a dedicated mediation unit offers a faster, less costly alternative to litigation for resolving land-related disputes, thereby preserving relationships and promoting amicable settlements.
Despite these commendable advancements, the ministry continues to face challenges, including shortages of professional and technical personnel, outdated equipment, insufficient operational funding, and the ongoing need for a comprehensive upgrade of the GIS platform. Nevertheless, Barr. Gai expressed optimism that sustained investment in technology, human capital development, infrastructure, and logistics will solidify current achievements and further position the ministry as a pivotal driver of sustainable development in Plateau State.
... Plateau State Streamlines Land Title Processing, Slashing Stages by Over 40% to Boost Business Environment ... Naijaonpoint.