The Kogi State Government has withdrawn the authority of landowners to issue consent approvals, directing that such powers will henceforth reside exclusively with the Office of the Executive Governor.
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‎The decision was one of the key resolutions reached at the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting chaired by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Thursday at the Government House in Lokoja.
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‎Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, explained that the directive followed the government’s discovery of widespread forgery of consent approvals, which he said posed significant administrative and security risks to the state.
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‎He announced that all previously issued consent approvals by landowners have been declared invalid, adding that holders of such documents have a four-week window to revalidate them at the office of the Executive Governor.
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‎ “We have found that many of the consent approvals being paraded are fake, and the state has no record of those holding them. This situation poses a serious security risk. By centralizing the process and revalidating existing consents, we will know who occupies our land and for what purpose,” he stated.
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‎The Commissioner emphasized that the revalidation exercise will enable the government to properly profile land users, confirm genuine ownership, and strengthen security across communities.
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‎He reiterated that Governor Ododo’s administration remains committed to transparency, orderliness, and the protection of both citizens and investors in land administration.
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‎According to him, the policy is designed in the overall interest of public safety and sustainable development.
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‎Fanwo assured residents that the government will continue to introduce policies that reinforce governance structures and safeguard the integrity of state assets.
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