Kwara automates records, says land titles ready in 30 days

Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Monday, launched a fully automated land administration system.

This system, the state promises it delivers Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) within 30 working days.

Unveiling the Kwara State Geographic Land Information Service (KW-GIS) Digital Land Information System in Ilorin, AbdulRazaq said the reform “marks another bold step in our commitment to innovation, transparency, and efficiency in public service delivery.”

A statement shared by the governor’s chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, with PUNCH Online disclosed this.

For decades, the process of land administration in many states, including Kwara, has been characterized by manual records, inefficiencies, and delays that discourage investors, slow down property transactions, and create room for abuse,” the Governor said.

“Our administration made a decision to change that narrative. The KW-GIS Digital Land Information System represents a complete transformation in how land records are managed in Kwara State.

“It provides a modern, automated, transparent platform that ensures every parcel of land in the state is digitally captured, documented, and easily retrievable.”

He explained that the platform will eliminate duplication and loss of land records, shorten processing time for land documents, enhance revenue generation, and strengthen investor confidence by ensuring certainty and security of land ownership.

The launch drew a high-profile audience of lawmakers, traditional rulers, business leaders, and trade unionists who praised the Governor’s vision and reformist approach.

Commissioner for Finance and Chairperson of the Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council, Dr Hauwa Nuru, said the initiative positions the state as a national leader in World Bank–supported programmes such as NG-CARES, SABER, and the HOPE projects.

This outstanding progress is a testament to Your Excellency’s unwavering commitment to institutional reforms, accountability, and sustainable development,” Nuru said, commending the KW-GIS team and technical partners for “working tirelessly to bring the vision to life.”

Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Folashade Omoniyi, said the platform “bridges longstanding gaps in land administration, documentation, and record accuracy by leveraging modern technology to establish a transparent and efficient land management system.”

She said the integration of the KW-IRS online payment system with KW-GIS allows users to process land titles, obtain building approvals, and make payments “seamlessly and transparently, reducing bureaucracy and strengthening public trust.”

Omoniyi added that the government has also reviewed and harmonized existing land laws “to align with modern standards,” ensuring clarity and fairness in property rights and transactions.

Executive Secretary of KW-GIS, Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem, described the digital rollout as “a milestone in the history of land administration,” saying all land records would be digitized and archived “for future generations” to prevent encroachment. He also commended AbdulRazaq for approving ₦560 million in compensation for land acquired for the Kwara Smart City project.

Project Consultant, Dr Paul Adepelumi, hailed the digitalization as a benchmark for other states: “KW-GIS is not just a platform but a revolution. It takes us from files to digital records, from delay to speed, and from opacity to transparency.”

Project Manager, Ali Muhammad Kalot, said the system features digital parcel mapping, integrated land records, user access control, and automated revenue tracking.

“We have scanned more than 1,000 layouts and digitized about 20,000 plots on our KW-GIS platform,” Kalot disclosed. “And this is a key achievement of our project.”

More than 200 KW-GIS staff have been trained to operate the system, he said, as the state positions itself as a front-runner in digital governance and ease of doing business.

culled from punch.