By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal has begun the process of establishing National Geospatial data infrastructure in the country.The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu disclosed this at a high level stakeholders meeting on Geospatial data infrastructure held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him the meeting was aimed at discussing modalities for financing and securing approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the draft of Nigeria’s National Geo-information Policy and consequently the establishment of the data infrastructure. The Minister noted that is crafting a Ward-Based project delivery system wherein Ministries and Agencies ensure the Government’s planning is Ward-Based, meaning that beneficiaries are drawn from Nigerians who are residents in these communities.”The potential of geospatial data and technology applications became evident in Nigeria when it was first used for polio vaccination efforts. After an upsurge in polio cases in 2011, geospatial vaccination tracking efforts were put in place, which provided updated settlement maps, population data, and health ward boundaries.He further noted that “following this success, we believe that geospatial data could also be useful in other areas of government concerns such as health, education, agriculture, water resources, social protection, and infrastructural development. The Minister disclosed that presently, the Ministry in its coordinating role is discussing with most government agencies on the establishment of an Agriculture Ward-Based Project Delivery System, adding that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the foundation that ensures spatial data is available for ward-based initiatives.Bagudu recalled that in December 2023, the Ministry hosted an ecosystem meeting to discuss the status of geospatial data production and access in Nigeria, during which some agreements were reached on which was to commence modalities for the establishment of Nigeria’s Spatial Data infrastructure.In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr Vitalis Emeka Obi who read the address of the Minister said Geospatial data has become a critical component for making informed decision in various sectors; by harnessing its power, we can unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and resilience.According to him the meeting had come at a time when “we need to optimise the utilisation and allocation of our scarce resources”He said in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, “it is our desire to ensure that the impact of Government programmes and projects is felt and appreciated by the populace. We intend to achieve this by ensuring that correct demography and communities are targeted by these programmes.Obi added that modalities for collaboration in the production, access, and use of Geospatial data must be strengthened as every player in the Eco-System must agree to work together in tandem with the resolution at the meeting.A presentation on the overview of Nigeria’s Geospatial Value Pipeline Landscape Report/Fundamental Datasets and Mandated Producers was delivered by Prof Olajide Kufoniyi while the Director General of NARSDA made a presentation of an overview of the NGDI/Geoinformation Policy and Progress So far.