The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, unveiled the pilot phase of its innovative Identifier project — a comprehensive digital addressing system designed to streamline geographic house numbering and street naming across the State.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu launched the project, which will commence next week in Ikeja, during the Nigeria Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme (NLTRDP) held at Victoria Island. The event was organised by the Lagos State Office of Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) and Urban Development, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
The digital house numbering system will allocate a unique digital identity to every building in Lagos State. According to the government, this will improve navigation for emergency responders, utility service providers, and residents, while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
Speaking at the unveiling, which featured a display of the new house numbering plates, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the initiative aims to improve navigation, service delivery, and urban management by providing a unique digital identity for each property.
Describing the system as a novel, technology-driven idea, he said:
“It is still a journey and we are not there yet. But this digital house numbering system is really about ensuring that, if you can get the address of a property, every piece of information needed on that property can be accessed.”
On the NLTRDP, Sanwo-Olu commended the Federal government for its Renewed Hope Agenda initiative to unlock the economic potential of land, adding that electronic documentation is the way forward to secure land rights and reduce physical interference.
Special Adviser to the governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, said the Identifier project incorporates QR codes and local government-specific colour codes for easy identification.
He noted that the project is expected to improve security, boost revenue generation, and enhance service delivery.
“House numbering and documentation is tied to ownership. At the back end of the digital system, we have all the information that can be shared with the public. By scanning the QR code, you can access information about a property — including bills, approvals, and other key details. We are now in the age of technology and must embrace it,” Babatunde said.
Earlier, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, announced plans to improve land title coverage to 50% in the next 10 years as part of efforts to unlock the economic potential of land in Nigeria.
He noted that more than 97% of land in the country remains untitled, limiting its use as collateral for loans and its value in property transactions. He said the new initiative would enable other states to digitise land registries, integrate geographic information systems, and adopt global best practices already in use in Lagos.
* Media Report