Lagos turns to digital mapping to take control of its growing city

Lagos State is implementing the use of geospatial data to manage land, infrastructure, and urban development as the city grapples with its size and complexity. Special Adviser Olajide Babatunde emphasized the importance of comprehending land location, usage, and infrastructure changes for effective governance. The Lagos Geographic Information Service (LAGIS) was established to address these challenges, and its inauguration marked the inaugural Lagos GIS Day.

The state has bolstered its digital mapping infrastructure with detailed maps, orthophotos, LiDAR imagery, and artificial intelligence applications. These advancements enable more granular planning and monitoring of the physical environment. LAGIS unifies various geospatial initiatives under a stronger framework, streamlining spatial information creation, management, and utilization for governmental purposes.

The legislative foundation was laid in 2025, with Governor Sanwo-Olu assenting to the Lagos Geographic Information Service Bill on October 6, 2025. The inaugural GIS Day celebrated LAGIS' formation and featured the inauguration of the LAGIS Board and its first meeting. The state showcased its geospatial infrastructure at the Lagos GIS Centre, including the ABAT III eGIS Data Centre and completed digital mapping project.

Officials also presented the Lagos Property Bank and AI applications developed using mapping data. The infrastructure expansion aims to provide detailed spatial intelligence for land administration, infrastructure planning, and urban development. In 2025, Lagos launched an initiative to identify, document, and formalize informal land assets valued at N3 trillion, aligning with its digital land reform agenda and improving transparency and economic value from undocumented assets.

Additionally, the Electronic Physical Planning Process System (EPPPS) was automated, transitioning planning permit applications and construction approvals to a digital platform.