Edo Goes Paperless: Obaseki to Implement Electronic Signing of C-of-O

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has announced that the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) is the only document he still signs manually. Plans are now in place to begin electronic signing of this crucial title document.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital, Obaseki reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving a completely paperless governance system. He highlighted the state’s embrace of technology through an e-governance system, which has transitioned the government into a paperless operation. This initiative has already led to the archiving of seven million government documents.

The governor noted that this new system has streamlined government operations, ensuring accountability, transparency, effectiveness, efficiency, and quicker service delivery to the people of Edo State.

Obaseki further explained that the state has already started issuing computerized Certificates of Occupancy to landowners. The introduction of electronic signing for C-of-Os is part of ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and transparency in land administration.

“We have focused on reducing our cost of governance by 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 electronically. They are the only documents I sign now. Everything else is online; we’re paperless,” Obaseki stated.

The Obaseki-led administration has implemented reforms to simplify the process of land registration and improve land management in the state, leveraging technological advancements. These reforms have resulted in the approval and issuance of over 30,000 Certificates of Occupancy in the past seven and a half years.