Nasarawa State has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing land resource management and geospatial innovation as representatives of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) from the state participated in the 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Institution held in Enugu.
Led by the State Surveyor-General, Surv. Ishaya Makama, the Nasarawa delegation joined experts from across Nigeria to deliberate on the theme: “Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence: Innovation and Opportunities for Sustainable Development.”
Keynote speaker, Professor Chinedu Nebo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, stressed the transformative role of geospatial intelligence in global development, noting its integration with AI, machine learning, remote sensing, and big data analytics as vital tools for Nigeria’s sustainable growth.
NIS President, Surv. Dr. Matthew Olomolatan, emphasized the need for a coordinated National Geospatial Data Infrastructure to align with global standards.
He said such a framework would directly support the realization of President Bola Tinubu’s seven-point agenda, especially in infrastructure and environmental management.
A major resolution of the conference was the urgent call for state governments to upgrade the Office of the Surveyor-General to an extra-ministerial department, thereby empowering it to provide reliable and up-to-date geospatial data for planning in infrastructure, agriculture, urban development, and national security.
The Surveyor-General of the Federation also reiterated his appeal to states that are yet to upgrade their Surveyor-General’s office to do so without delay, underscoring the importance of accurate spatial data for effective governance and sustainable development.
