By Davina Ushere, Ayeni Ohionamen, and Morgan Omonfomhan
Benin City – The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reiterated its commitment to advancing geospatial data management in Nigeria by partnering with the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS).
As part of the collaboration, NASRDA donated specialized software, advanced hardware, and internet resources to support EDOGIS operations.
The announcement was made during the unveiling of the 4-day GRID³ Nigeria Project held at the EDOGIS premises from December 2nd to 6th, 2024. The program featured training sessions for participants from five key state ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Environment, and EDOGIS.
Representing NASRDA’s Director General, Dr. Innocent E. Bello highlighted Nigeria’s achievements in the global space sector since the launch of NigeriaSat-1 in 2003. He emphasized that the GRID³ Nigeria Project aims to enhance the coordination and management of geospatial data for evidence-based policymaking, equitable resource distribution, and improved access to updated geospatial datasets.
“Edo State was chosen as the pilot for this initiative, with EDOGIS serving as the training host due to its recognition as the best GIS agency in Nigeria. This partnership underscores our commitment to leveraging home-grown geospatial solutions for governance and national development,” Bello stated.
As part of the collaboration, NASRDA donated two high-end workstations for data processing, software, and ₦540,000 worth of internet subscriptions to facilitate seamless data uploads to the GRID³ portal. Edo State was also tasked with contributing declassified geospatial datasets for integration into the portal.
The Managing Director of EDOGIS, ESV. Mrs. Osaro Grace Aihie, expressed her gratitude to NASRDA for selecting EDOGIS as the training hub and for the generous donation. She assured that the resources would be utilized effectively to benefit Edo State and Nigeria.
“The achievements of EDOGIS as the leading GIS agency in Nigeria are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team. We are honored to play a key role in this national initiative,” Mrs. Aihie said.
