Why Edo is Going Paperless to Introduce Electronic Signing of C-of-Os

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) is currently the only document he still signs manually, but however, disclosed that plans are underway to transition to electronic signing for these title documents.

During a press briefing in Benin City, Obaseki reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a fully paperless governance system.

Governor Obaseki highlighted that the State has fully embraced technology through an e-governance system, which has facilitated a significant transition to a paperless government. This initiative has resulted in the archiving of seven million government documents.

According to Obaseki, this new system has improved government operations by ensuring greater accountability, transparency, efficiency, and quicker service delivery for the people of Edo State.

The governor who stated that the State has since commenced the issuance of computerized Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) to landed property owners in the State, said plans have been concluded to introduce electronic signing of C-of-Os as part of renewed efforts to enhance efficiency and transparency in land administration.

According to him, “We have focused on reducing our cost of governance, leveraging technology. We have made significant progress in our land administration system through our nuanced reforms. Very soon, I will begin to sign our Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) electronically. They are the only documents I sign now. Everything else is online; we’re paperless.”

The Obaseki-led administration has undertaken nuanced reforms to ease the process of land registration and improvement in land management in the State, leveraging technology.

The governor’s land reforms have led to the approval and issuance of over 30,000 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) in the last seven and a half years.