Unlocking Land, Unlocking Prosperity: Taraba Gov Signs 173 C of Os to Modernize Land Ownership
By Henry Agbu
In what many have described as a defining moment for land administration in Taraba State, Governor Agbu Kefas has signed 173 Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os)—a bold and strategic move aimed at reshaping the state’s land governance system and spurring economic development.
Gov Agbu Kefas
The signing ceremony, which took place at the Government House in Jalingo on June 27, 2025, was not merely a routine bureaucratic function. It was a statement of intent—Governor Kefas is laying the groundwork for an economic revolution, one plot of land at a time.
For decades, land ownership in Taraba State has been clouded by informality, dispute, and bureaucratic stagnation. Thousands of residents have lived and worked on land they could not legally prove they owned. Investors balked, agriculture was constrained, and urban planning suffered.
Now, with the issuance of 173 legally binding C of Os, that narrative is changing. The documents represent more than just titles—they are keys to security, legitimacy, and opportunity.
“These certificates will not just empower individuals, they will drive development across communities,” Governor Kefas declared.
“Land ownership must be clear, legal, and protected if we are serious about attracting investors and developing our state.”
This milestone is closely tied to the governor’s push to digitize land administration through the Taraba Geographic Information Service(TAGIS).
TAGIS has become the nerve center of a new era in land reform, digitizing thousands of land parcels and making the process of acquisition, registration, and certification more transparent and efficient.
“The old days of manual files and missing documents are over,” said the Director General of TAGIS. “We’re building a system that works for everyone—from the farmer in Bali to the entrepreneur in Jalingo.”
For farmers and business people, a C of O can mean access to credit, collateral for investment, and protection from encroachment. For the state, it means increased internally generated revenue and a clear database for urban and rural development.
Governor Kefas didn’t stop at issuing new titles. He also launched a six-month statewide recertification exercise, warning landowners to legitimize their land holdings or risk penalties, including revocation.
It’s a tough but necessary stance, designed to clean up the system, curb illegal land sales, and protect legitimate titleholders.
Land is often the first asset a family owns. It’s the foundation of agriculture, shelter, and heritage. By reforming land ownership, Governor Kefas is not just modernizing governance—he is securing the future.
From rural farmers to urban developers, the impact of this initiative will ripple across every sector. It’s a quiet revolution—unfolding in files and fingerprints, in survey maps and digital screens—but its impact could define Taraba’s development for generations to come.
