UN-Habitat’s Partnership with EKSG Advances to implementation Level, as FIG Hails Oyebanji’s Geospatial Revolution
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Technical Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on e-GIS and Land Management, Akintobi Oluwasanmi, has disclosed that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ekiti State and UN-Habitat in June 2023 has advanced to implementation stage.
According to him, a contribution agreement is now undergoing final legal review, paving the way for the drafting of the state’s first-ever Comprehensive Master Plan within six months of project commencement.
He added that key infrastructure including Continuous Operating Reference Stations has been fully installed and is already capturing high-resolution imagery of the entire state.
This was revealed during the flag-off of a five-day technical mission in Ado-Ekiti under the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) Catalytic Intervention programme themed “Strengthening Innovative Approach towards Enhanced Land Governance.”
He added that the project will deliver a comprehensive master plan within the first six months of its formal commencement, signaling the end of the state’s 141-year land documentation deficit and ushering in a new era of digital land governance.
During the event, the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) also commended the administration of the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for its transformative leadership in land management and the deployment of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) aimed at revolutionizing land governance in the state.
Representing 120 member countries, the Chairperson of FIG Africa Regional Network, Ambassador Mohammed Kabir, praised the Oyebanji administration for its visionary steps to enhance livelihood, promote security and ensure transparency in land administration through the ongoing establishment of a state-wide survey, mapping system and the landmark Ekiti State Land Information Management System (EKS-LIMS).
Ambassador Kabir described the initiative as a model for effective land governance in Africa, noting the programme aligns with global best practices in data-driven planning and sustainable development.
He also highlighted a national concern, revealing that only about 3% of Nigeria’s landmass has been formally documented in over 141 years which is a major barrier to economic growth and national planning.
“You cannot plan on what you don’t know. Without accessible land records, farmers, investors, and governments cannot make informed decisions. With proper land data, a local farmer can secure a Certificate of Occupancy and leverage it to access agricultural credit or inputs, directly improving productivity and livelihood.” he added
