The Edo State Government has announced a major restructuring of its land administration system, including the appointment of Innocent Ehiaguina Bello as Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service.
The announcement, dated April 25, 2026, was made by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, who disclosed that the appointment was approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo as part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing land governance in the state.
Dr. Bello, a geospatial scientist and administrator, currently serves as Assistant Director and Head of the Spatial Data Infrastructure Division at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja. He is also the National President of the Nigerian Cartographic Association. His professional background spans Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, land information systems, and geospatial intelligence, with numerous academic publications in related fields.
According to the statement, his appointment is expected to strengthen the state’s capacity in land administration, improve data-driven governance, and support compliance with international standards, including those required by the World Bank for funding and development programmes.
As part of the restructuring, the government also approved the scrapping of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, designating EdoGIS as the central authority for land administration. The move is intended to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in land management across the state.
In a related development, the current Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Vincent Osas Uwadiae, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to contribute to ongoing urban planning initiatives.
The Edo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to institutional reforms that promote sustainable development and align with global best practices.
