By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
The Geoinformation Society of Nigeria, GEOSON, and the National Population Commission, NPC, have reaffirmed their commitment to utilising geospatial technologies as transformative tools for national development.
At GEOSON’s 2024 Annual General Assembly and Conference, themed “Leveraging Geospatial Technologies for Integrated National Development,” the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, emphasised the critical role of these tools in addressing challenges like urban planning, agriculture, and disaster management.
Represented by Dr Mathew Adepoju, Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA, the Minister highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which integrates geospatial technologies into revenue optimisation efforts.
He also announced the government’s approval for four new satellite launches to bolster Nigeria’s geospatial capabilities and pledged support for implementing the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure, NGDI, Policy and Bill.
GEOSON President, Surv. Fitkka Steve Bilshaka, underscored the technologies’ significance in security, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
“Geospatial technologies are critical for any nation’s survival, and Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind,” Bilshaka stated.
He emphasised their role in identifying security threats, enhancing healthcare delivery, and streamlining infrastructure planning.
He cited satellite imagery’s role in precision military operations, particularly in insurgency-affected areas like Borno State, and called for their integration into governance and educational frameworks to inspire innovation.
Bilshaka called on the government to fully integrate geospatial technologies into governance frameworks, ensuring economic growth and development.
He also urged institutions to inspire the next generation by incorporating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into educational curricula, fostering innovation and capacity building among youth.
NPC Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, represented by Hon. Muhammad Dettijo Usman, applauded GEOSON’s efforts.
He highlighted the NPC’s use of Geographic Information Systems, GIS, in the Enumeration Area Demarcation, EAD, for the upcoming census, which generated invaluable datasets for urban planning, resource allocation, and policy formulation.
“These datasets will bridge critical gaps in resource management. The Census will enhance these efforts by providing updated demographic data,” Kwarra said.