BY ABDULKADIR M. LAWAN, OCTOBER 13, 2025 | 03:26 PM
The Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) has launched a community outreach program on land sensitization and documentation in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The campaign, themed "Bringing Land Governance Closer to the People," kicked off on Monday at BOTP 72 layout, Pompomari Bypass, Maiduguri.
It aimed to enhance public awareness on land management, bridge the gap between policy and practice, and reduce land disputes.
At the launch event, Engr. Adam Bukar Bababe, Executive Secretary of BOGIS, urged landowners to perfect their land documents with the government.
He highlighted the importance of documentation in reducing misconduct, corrupt practices, and land-related disputes.
Engr. Bababe emphasized that the documentation process would help to identify and authenticate land ownership, thereby reducing the risk of land grabbing and disputes.
He also noted that the agency has been working tirelessly to ensure that landowners comply with the documentation exercise, but lamented that despite their efforts, less than a quarter of Pompomari residents have complied.
He clarified that BOGIS is not involved in land confiscation, but rather aims to solve problems and ensure legitimate land ownership.
In his remarks, the General Manager of Borno State Urban Planning and Regional Development, Liman Mustapha, noted that the sensitization campaign provides an opportunity for education and community enlightenment on land use.
He emphasized the need for landowners to update their documents and comply with regulations, stating that this would help to ensure that land is used for its intended purpose.
Mustapha further explained that many residents have Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) that are not in their names.
He also noted that any change of purpose for land use requires approval from BOGIS before commencement.
Residents who participated in the exercise expressed gratitude to BOGIS for the timely awareness, saying it has educated them on how to properly document their land.
They appreciated the efforts of the state government in reducing land disputes and promoting peaceful coexistence among communities.
The campaign is expected to cover various communities in Maiduguri, with the aim of reaching a wider audience and promoting land governance in the state.