The Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) has reiterated its dedication to modernizing land management and urban development, ensuring that more residents, particularly those with low incomes, can secure legal land titles.
The Executive Secretary of BOGIS, Adam Bababe, made this known during a courtesy visit by the CEO of the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC), Prof. Diana Mitlin, in Maiduguri. He emphasized that digitalizing land records has simplified the land titling process, encouraging legal ownership for both residential and commercial purposes.
Advancing Systematic Land Titling
Bababe highlighted the success of the Systematic Land Titling (SLT) programme, launched in 2022, which has significantly increased the conversion of customary land titles to statutory ones. He revealed that efforts are ongoing to integrate statutory and customary land rights into a single digital database, with data collection already completed for low and medium-density areas of Maiduguri.
ACRC’s Support for Land Ownership
Seeking further improvement, Bababe requested ACRC’s support in training BOGIS staff in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance land administration efficiency.
In response, Prof. Mitlin commended BOGIS for its proactive approach, pledging ACRC’s support for 100 women in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area to secure land titles, along with covering application fees for an additional 1,000 residents.
She emphasized ACRC’s focus on research-driven urban solutions, governance, and economic development, adding that empowering women through land ownership is crucial to improving their livelihoods.
With these initiatives, BOGIS is making strides toward streamlined land administration, economic growth, and inclusivity in property ownership across Borno State.
