The Ebonyi State Government has unveiled plans to deploy a fully digital land management system aimed at ending land grabbing, double registration, and other long-standing land disputes in the state.
The initiative, championed by Governor Francis Nwifuru, will completely modernize operations within the Ministry of Lands and Survey by next year. The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Matthew Nwobashi, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abakaliki.
According to Nwobashi, the governor has already approved the digital transformation, which will streamline land search, acquisition, and registration processes statewide. He revealed that the project—expected to cost several billions of naira—has been captured in the current budget.
Nwobashi stated that once the system becomes fully operational, issues such as double land ownership, disputed land documentation, and fraudulent registrations will be eliminated.
He emphasized that residents will soon be able to verify land details, initiate registrations, and carry out official searches online without visiting the ministry physically.
“Land grabbing will drastically reduce. Only parcels without proper documentation can be illegally taken,” he added.
Nwobashi
The Commissioner highlighted the progress made under the present administration, including faster processing of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), letters of exchange, and other key land documents. He also announced a budgetary increase of over 60% for the ministry in 2026, which he said will further boost service delivery.
Nwobashi also backed Governor Nwifuru’s proposed ₦150 billion loan to establish a new cement factory, calling it a strategic move to expand job opportunities and drive economic growth in Ebonyi.
Addressing concerns over the disputed land at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) permanent site—reportedly paid for by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)—the Commissioner clarified that the land legally belongs to the university.
He explained that the land was originally acquired for public interest from the Ishieke, Nsuruakpa, and Umuegara communities, and that a valid Certificate of Occupancy had already been issued to EBSU.“It is wrong for the government to reclaim land meant for public interest and redistribute it to individuals,” he stated, adding that the property has been returned to the university.
Nwobashi further noted that if the land is ever reassigned, EBSU—as the legal owner—must be the one to issue a sub-lease, and only for developments aligned with the institution’s vision.
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