The Lagos State Government on Monday hosted the Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Chaka Ikenna Chukwumerije, and officials of the Abia State Ministry of Lands on a study tour aimed at learning from Lagos State’s land administration system.
The visit was part of efforts by the Abia State Government to understand how Lagos manages land records, planning approvals, and property documentation using modern, technology-driven solutions. Lagos State is widely regarded as a leading state in Nigeria when it comes to land administration reforms and the use of digital tools to improve service delivery.
During the visit, the Abia delegation was received by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde. He welcomed the visitors and explained the vision behind Lagos State’s land reforms, especially the move from manual processes to digital systems.
Dr Babatunde said Lagos State adopted technology in land administration to address long-standing challenges such as land disputes, loss of records, delays in processing land documents, and corruption. According to him, the reforms are aimed at making land transactions easier, faster, and more transparent for residents and investors.
The Abia delegation later held an interactive session with officials of the Lagos State Government. During the session, both sides exchanged ideas on land management, urban development, and the use of technology to support planning and housing delivery.
As part of the study tour, the visitors were taken on a guided tour of several key facilities that support Lagos State’s land administration system. One of the major stops was the ongoing Lagos Geographic Information System (Lagos GIS) Centre. The centre is designed to serve as a central digital hub for land records, mapping, and property data across the state.
Officials explained that the Lagos GIS Centre will help reduce errors, prevent duplication of land titles, and improve access to accurate land information. The system is also expected to strengthen security of land records and support urban planning decisions.
The delegation also visited the Land Digitization Centre, where physical land records are converted into digital format. Lagos officials said the digitisation of land records has helped preserve important documents that were previously at risk of damage or loss.
According to them, many land records in the past were kept in paper files that could easily be destroyed by fire, flood, or poor storage conditions. The digitisation process ensures that records are safely stored and can be retrieved easily when needed.
Another facility visited was the Lagos Land Archive, which houses historical and current land documents. Officials explained that the archive plays a key role in resolving land disputes by providing reliable records that can be verified quickly.
The Abia team also toured the Electronic Physical Planning Centre, where planning applications are processed electronically. Lagos officials said the system has reduced delays in issuing planning permits and has made it easier for developers to track the status of their applications.
Speaking during the tour, Hon. Chaka Ikenna Chukwumerije commended the Lagos State Government for its achievements in land administration. He said the visit was important for Abia State as it seeks to improve its own land management system.
According to him, effective land administration is critical to economic growth, housing delivery, and urban development. He noted that many states face challenges such as land disputes, unclear ownership, and slow processing of land documents.
Chukwumerije said Abia State is interested in adopting practical solutions that can help address these challenges. He explained that learning from Lagos would help Abia avoid mistakes and adopt tested approaches that have delivered results.
“We are here to learn and see things for ourselves,” he said. “Lagos State has made significant progress in using technology to manage land, and we believe there are lessons we can take back home.”
The delegation later visited the Lagos State Lands Bureau, where they met with the Executive Secretary and other senior officials. During the meeting, both sides discussed policy frameworks, operational challenges, and best practices in land administration.
Officials of the Lands Bureau explained how Lagos processes land titles, certificates of occupancy, and other property-related documents. They also highlighted efforts made to improve transparency and reduce human interference in land transactions.
According to them, the introduction of digital platforms has helped limit sharp practices and has improved public trust in the land administration system. They added that the reforms have also boosted investor confidence in Lagos State.
The Abia officials asked questions on funding, capacity building, and public awareness. Lagos officials responded by explaining that sustained political will, staff training, and public education were key to the success of the reforms.
They also stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation and data sharing among government departments involved in land and urban development.
The visit comes at a time when many states across Nigeria are seeking ways to modernise their land administration systems. Poor land management has been identified as a major obstacle to housing development, infrastructure projects, and private investment in many parts of the country.
For Abia State, the study tour is expected to support ongoing efforts to reform land administration and improve service delivery to citizens. Officials said the insights gained from the visit would help guide future policies and investments in the sector.
As the tour ended, both Lagos and Abia officials expressed hope for continued collaboration and knowledge sharing between states. They noted that cooperation among states is important for improving governance and promoting development across the country.
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to sharing experiences and supporting other states in building efficient and transparent land administration systems for the benefit of Nigerians.