Nigeria: President Tinubu Moves Surveyor-General Office to Presidency to Enhance Geospatial Data Management
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has directed the transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF) from the Ministry of Works to the Presidency. The Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, announced this significant decision following the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this move, while not elaborately explained, is aimed at streamlining geospatial data management and enabling direct supervision over national mapping and land administration priorities. Analysts suggest that it reflects the administration’s ongoing reform efforts and the increasing importance of geospatial intelligence in planning, infrastructure development, and security mapping.
The OSGoF, the apex agency responsible for providing geospatial information, data, and services across Nigeria, will now operate directly under the presidency. This reallocation could potentially lead to more efficient and coordinated management of Nigeria’s land resources and geospatial data.
Geospatial data plays a crucial role in urban planning, sustainable resource management, and disaster risk reduction. By centralizing the OSGoF, the Nigerian government might improve accessibility and accuracy of geospatial information, thereby enhancing decision-making processes across various sectors.
Reactions from the public and relevant stakeholders are expected to provide more insights into the potential implications and benefits of this strategic relocation. As Nigeria continues to prioritize infrastructure development and security enhancements, the efficiency of its geospatial data management could indeed be a game-changer.
