Surveyors Warn Of Development Setbacks Without Geospatial Infrastructure

Surveyors have warned that Nigeria risks stalling key national development targets unless it urgently establishes a coordinated National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) to support decision-making across sectors.

The President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Dr. Matthew Ibitoye, issued the warning at the opening of the 59th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Institution held at the International Conference Centre in Enugu.

According to Ibitoye, Nigeria’s lack of a centralised geospatial framework continues to undermine infrastructure planning, land administration, disaster response, environmental management, and security coordination — all of which are key components of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 7-point development agenda.

“Without a structured NGDI, our national planning will remain reactive and fragmented. We need sustained investment in geospatial intelligence to enable smart governance, infrastructure monitoring, and climate resilience,” Ibitoye said.

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He noted that countries leveraging geospatial intelligence are advancing rapidly in urban development, food security, and public safety, while Nigeria continues to face data gaps, high tech costs, and limited expertise in the field.

Ibitoye called for strategic collaboration between government, academia, private sector, and civil society to close these gaps, invest in digital mapping technologies, and ensure data privacy safeguards.

Also speaking at the event, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, shared how Enugu has deployed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to overhaul land governance.

“The Enugu Geographic Information System (ENGIS) has helped us fight quackery, reduce land disputes, and ensure transparent land documentation. We are already seeing the benefits of geospatial tools in planning and environmental protection,” Mbah stated.

Themed “Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence in the New World,” the conference brought together experts and policymakers to explore how spatial data can drive smarter infrastructure, sustainable cities, and inclusive growth.