Abuja geographic information systems (AGIS) as a tool for good governance in Nigeria

Adeoye, Anthony A.

Abuja (FCT) covers a total land area approximately 7,315 sq. km. This makes it more than twice the area of Lagos State. According to the Aguda panel, this vast area was considered necessary in order to allow room not just for the capital city but also for a city region that will provide most of the needs of the city, including water, forestry, industrial, agricultural, open spaces, defence, air transport and other needs. As at now, the Federal Capital City (FCC) is planned to cover an area of about 250 sq. kms, while the rest of the Territory of the city region covers about 7,065 sq kms. Land Administration in Abuja includes processes of land registration, cadastre, valuation and land inventory. Every country in the world pursues these activities in one form or another. Whatever the stage of development is, technology plays a role in executing these tasks. Developing countries particularly, Nigeria is challenged by the poor land management and administration, and aim at enhancing these services in the provision of relevant land information as support to good governance. Traditional approaches to land administration result in design and implementation projects that take a long time. However, the introduction of innovative technology such as GIS has been playing a leading role. Land Administration includes processes of land registration, cadastre, valuation and land inventory. Every country in the world pursues these activities in one form or another. Whatever the stage of development is, modern technology plays a role in executing these tasks. The Abuja Geographic Information Systems offers a very challenging and unique opportunity to reverse the unused and untapped opportunities in Nigeria by providing the faces of modern land administration systems such as scientific which include concepts, methodology and model and operational which involve the management, governance, and operations. This paper will look into the scientific and operational approaches adopted in the development of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems.

Event: 5th FIG Regional Conference for Africa : Promoting Land Administration and Good Governance

Only personal, non-commercial use of this document is allowed.

Document type:Abuja geographic information systems (AGIS) as a tool for good governance in Nigeria (91 kB - pdf)