The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Umar, during a briefing with journalists on Wednesday.
“The deadline for renewing or registering land titles is fast approaching,” Umar stated. “By the expiration of the deadline on January 31, 2025, all current Certificates of Occupancy will be rendered invalid.”
Umar reminded all landowners, from the creation of the state up until the present day, to visit the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to either register or renew their land documents.
“This is an important step in ensuring that land ownership across the state is secure and properly documented,” he emphasised.
The move is part of an ongoing recertification exercise that was first announced by Governor Abba Yusuf during the re-commissioning of the Kano State Geographic Information System (KANGIS) building on November 25, 2024.
At that time, the governor urged all residents to take advantage of the new system to either register or renew their interest in land ownership.
Abduljabbar Umar reinforced the governor’s message, urging landowners to act promptly.
“I stand here today to reinforce the announcement made by the Executive Governor and urge all people holding interest in land across the state to immediately proceed to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to register their properties,” he said.
The new certification system, which will be fully operational at the KANGIS building, offers several significant advantages, according to the commissioner.
The system will streamline the land documentation process, minimising errors and eliminating delays caused by outdated manual procedures.
“The new system provides accurate and reliable records by eliminating manual processes, reducing errors and manipulation of land files and titles,” Umar explained.
In addition to efficiency, the new Certificates of Occupancy will feature advanced security measures to prevent fraud. “The new certificates are designed with cutting-edge security features, making them virtually impossible to forge. This will help secure property rights and significantly reduce the risk of fraud,” he noted.
Umar concluded by urging all landowners to promptly initiate the recertification process to safeguard their investments. “This exercise is part of the administration’s efforts to provide affordable, accessible, and secure land documentation, which is critical for strengthening property rights across the state,” he said.
With the deadline of January 31, 2025, fast approaching, the Kano State government is urging all affected landowners to act swiftly to avoid complications or the loss of their property rights.
