The Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation has said Nigeria has not fully utilised its National Geospatial Data Infrastructure, calling for stronger collaboration among government agencies to improve data use for national development.
Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abdulganiyu Adeyemi, stated this while receiving the Executive Director of the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Commission, Abdulmumi Zaria, and his team in Abuja.
Adeyemi said Nigeria must integrate its scattered data resources to address national issues such as surveillance, urban growth, and disaster management. “We want all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to bring their data together so it can be used to solve some of Nigeria’s pressing challenges,” he said.
He explained that government institutions generate valuable data that remain uncoordinated, weakening evidence-based planning. “We have the capability, the equipment, and the technical know-how, but the challenge lies in integration,” Adeyemi said.
According to him, OSGOF has hydrographic data, advanced mapping tools, and a network of Continuously Operating Reference Stations that can help predict environmental risks and guide national planning, but the data must be shared among agencies.
Adeyemi said the office is investing in manpower development, modern software, and cloud-based systems to strengthen Nigeria’s geospatial capacity. He also encouraged collaboration with the NIWRC, noting that OSGOF’s Hydrography Department holds vital information for environmental and water management.
In his remarks, Zaria described OSGOF as a key partner in improving water governance, adding that poor data sharing has hindered efficient resource management. “Water is a finite resource, and OSGOF has the expertise and records we need to regulate water use,” he said.
He added that the partnership will focus on mapping water infrastructure and developing digital tools for resource tracking in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes inter-agency cooperation.
Both agencies agreed to form a technical working group and sign a memorandum of understanding, starting with pilot projects in selected river basins to demonstrate how shared data can improve water management and disaster response.
