The Edo State Government has announced restructuring of its land administration system, appointing Dr. Innocent Ehiaguina Bello as the Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS) and dissolving the Ministry of Lands and Housing.
A special announcement signed by Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor said the decision was part of broader efforts to modernize land governance and align with international standards.
Recall that Governor Monday Okpebholo on November 27, 2025 sacked Tony Ikpasaja, as Managing Director of the State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) over the purported revocation of Certificate of Occapancy of 13,545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Oil Plc.
The new appointee, Dr.Innocent Ehiaguina Bello, is said to be a geospatial scientist and administrator, currently serving 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.
The statement described him as a seasoned expert in Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, and land administration, noting that his professional background spans geospatial intelligence, cadastral systems, and digital land governance.
“This appointment has become necessary as part of the Edo State Government’s strategic efforts to restructure land administration, modernize land governance systems and align operations with best international practices.”
The government said the reform is also designed to meet global benchmarks, particularly those of the World Bank, in order to improve the state’s access to international funding and development programmes.
“As part of the overhaul, the Ministry of Lands and Housing has been scrapped, with EdoGIS now designated as the central authority for land administration in the state. This move would enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making in land management.”
Following the restructuring, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Vincent Osas Uwadiae, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to support ongoing urban reforms.
Reaffirming its reform agenda, the government stated that it remains committed to strengthening institutions to deliver efficient, transparent, and sustainable governance in line with global best practices.
