Kogi Moves to Curb Land Fraud, Centralizes Consent Approval Process

The Kogi State Government has taken decisive action to curb widespread land fraud and enhance security by centralizing the process of issuing land consent approvals under the Office of the Executive Governor.

This was one of the major resolutions reached at the Kogi State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday, 6th November, 2025, at the New EXCO Hall, Government House, Lokoja, under the chairmanship of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed that the move became necessary following the discovery of forged consent approvals being paraded by individuals posing as legitimate land owners.

He explained that under the new policy, all consent approvals previously issued by land owners are no longer valid, and holders of such documents must revalidate them within four weeks at the Office of the Executive Governor.

“We have found that many of the consent approvals being paraded across the state are fake, and the government has no record of those holding them. This situation poses a serious security risk. By centralizing and revalidating the process, we will know who occupies our land and for what purpose,” Fanwo stated.

The Commissioner added that the government’s action is aimed at eliminating fraudulent land transactions, restoring order and transparency in land administration, and ensuring that only genuine landholders are recognized by law.

He emphasized that the revalidation exercise will also allow the state to properly profile land users, thereby enhancing the government’s ability to monitor land ownership and prevent criminal elements from hiding under forged documents.

Fanwo reaffirmed that Governor Ododo’s administration is committed to building a secure and transparent land management system that protects citizens, investors, and the integrity of the state’s land resources.

“This policy is not punitive; it is corrective and preventive. It will sanitize land administration, curb forgery, and make our communities safer,” he said.

The Commissioner assured that the government would continue to implement reforms that strengthen governance structures, enhance accountability, and promote public safety.

Other key highlights from the Executive Council meeting included the Governor’s directive to Commissioners to provide three boreholes each in their respective local government areas, the restriction of articulated vehicles on Lokoja roads during daytime, approval for transformer procurement across senatorial districts, and the consideration of the 2026 Draft Budget, christened “Budget of Shared Prosperity.”