By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri
As Borno continues on its path of reconstruction and urban renewal to meet the 2021 century, many believe that the Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) under Adam Bababe offers a clear roadmap for other public institutions seeking to align administrative competence with cultural consciousness.
From day one, his ability to drive digital reform while safeguarding heritage has not only restored confidence in land governance but has also affirmed the potential of public service when placed in capable hands.
Most spectacular in this story-rewriting process is the transformation of upscaling urbanisation of the state’s capital city, Maiduguri, and other principal towns to keep pace with the restoration of peace and security, which most strikingly shows the construction of New Maiduguri, and the general transformation of land use from an age-old, highly fraudulent and accountability-weak traditional system to digital platforms.
Starting with the construction of New Maiduguri city, necessitated by the city’s rapid expansion and the urgent need to decongest the city, the state government, through the Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS), has embarked on a massive transformation of land title across the Ring Road cutting through the Maiduguri Metropolitan, Mafa, Konduga and Jere Local Government Areas.
Last year, Gov. Zulum flagged off the construction of the road. Accordingly, the new city is to be developed on both sides of the Ring Road. BOGIS has designed five layout templates, and is already allocating plots according to their classifications and the choice of the respective individual or corporate applicants: High, Medium or Low density areas; residential or business/corporate.
Most striking in this development, however, is the frenzy among estate developers and industrialists already acquiring plots. These include building a solar panel plant, another gas plant, numerous filling stations, and an inland dry port.
Aside from this, there is also an industrial hub in the area. The Governor Zulum administration is currently building Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital and staff quarters, as well asthe Mai Mala Buni estate and a modern trailer park, all situated around these new layouts.
Seven estate developers are among the topmost on the list of investors that have applied for plots to establish business enterprises. Three of these have started building massive housing estates, while the other four are finishing their paperwork.
“We are telling the whole world that Borno is safe for investors and they should come and invest in the Borno economy. Some of these investors are from Abuja and Lagos; many have reached out to us, but we are taking our time studying their MoU,” Engr. Bababe, the Executive Secretary of BOGIS, announced.
“The layouts we are presenting today are not merely parcels of land. They represent Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s unwavering commitment to urban renewal and sustainable development as enshrined in our 25-Year Development Plan and its 10-Year Implementation Strategy.”
It was recalled that nearly two years ago, Governor Zulum flagged off the ring road that encompasses the entire Maiduguri metropolitan area, connecting critical locations from Njimtilo Axis through Gwange, Tungushe, and the Chad Basin Research Institute area, extending to Dalori, Silvaz in Mafa, and returning to Njimtilo near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
He added that phase one of the project, spanning 16.5 kilometres, is already underway with 10 kilometres paved and fully operational. Along this transformative corridor, BOGIS has meticulously designed multiple residential and commercial layouts to accommodate the state’s growing population and facilitate economic expansion.
“As of today, we have launched four layouts comprising 2,777 plots, offering a mixture of residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational spaces. Within the week, a fifth layout with an additional 2,100 plots will be released, bringing our total to approximately 4,300 plots available for allocation.”
He continued, “What makes this initiative truly revolutionary is not simply the impressive number of plots, but rather the seamless, transparent, and corruption-free digital process through which they are being allocated to deserving citizens.
“Gone are the days when you needed to interact with officials, pay bribes, or seek connections to secure land allocation,” Bababe declared emphatically, his words resonating with an audience all too familiar with past frustrations.
“Our new system operates with zero human interface. You apply online, your application is processed online, and approval is granted online. No one needs to know your face. No one needs to like or dislike you. The system is fair, transparent, and incorruptible.
“For citizens less familiar with digital technology, BOGIS has thoughtfully incorporated a representative appointment feature, allowing applicants to designate trusted individuals to manage their applications on their behalf, with all such arrangements fully documented within the system for complete accountability and transparency.
“Demonstrating remarkable technical mastery and urban planning expertise, BOGIS has segmented the available plots into three carefully designed density categories to accommodate different needs and budgets. High-density plots measure 450 square meters, equivalent to the traditional 50 feet by 100 feet plot size, and prices range from 750,000 naira to 4 million naira, depending on location.
“Medium density plots range from 600 to 900 square meters, offering more spacious options for those seeking additional land. Low-density plots measure 1,200 square meters, providing premium residential space in the most desirable locations. Furthermore, plots are classified by their proximity to the main Ring Road into front, middle, and rear categories, with pricing carefully adjusted to reflect market value, accessibility, and development potential.
Bababe noted that it had adopted strategies to control the circulation of fake land titles. He emphasised that since the inception of Zulum’s administration, reforms have been made to make lands accessible and affordable to the general public.
He said, ” In the current dispensation, the Borno State government placed greater emphasis on the issues of land reform, particularly land titling and has delegated some of its powers of approving consent to the commissioner to facilitate the proper functioning of land titling.
Since his appointment as Executive Secretary of the Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS), Adam Bababe has presided over one of the most ambitious and successful transformations in the history of land administration in Borno State.
For instance, Bababe’s achievements could be described as a fusion of administrative innovation and cultural patriotism. BOGIS has not only achieved unprecedented institutional efficiency but has also restored critical elements of Borno’s cultural identity.
One of the most significant efforts in this regard was the restoration of Maiduguri’s original street names, many of which had been replaced over time with names that bore no relevance to the state’s heritage.
However, these actions reflect a deliberate effort to protect Borno’s indigenous values from what he described as creeping cultural imperialism.
The restoration of historically and culturally appropriate street names has symbolised renewed pride and ownership among local communities, strengthening ties between citizens and their environment.
He argued that Bababe’s performance clearly demonstrates the impact of entrusting responsibility to young, visionary individuals who possess the political will and discipline to drive reform.
The results achieved by BOGIS over the five years from 2020 to 2025 provide a compelling case study in public-sector transformation. During this period, the agency conducted valuation assessments for compensation in more than 2,000 cases and successfully executed 1,604 valuation assignments.
Additionally, 597 survey and sub-division assignments were carried out, with only 45 cases left untreated, an efficiency rate that is rarely recorded in public land administration anywhere in Nigeria.
In the grants and allocations area, the agency processed 6,713 requests, received 6,102 files, and fully processed 6,005 of them. Only 97 files remained pending, underscoring the high operational throughput achieved under Bababe’s leadership.
Further data from 2021 to 2025 reinforces the agency’s performance. Within that timeframe, 2,098 valuation files were received, and 1,708 approvals were issued by the Governor. Another 449 files were processed following payment of the required consents, and 764 cases involving surrender and subdivision were successfully completed.
Only 218 cases were delayed by non-payment of the 7 per cent statutory fees, while 189 files were pending due to outstanding ground rent. Additionally, 201 consent and deed-of-assignment files were awaiting final approval from the Governor.
The issuance of 1,792 Certificates of Occupancy during the same period further attests to the success of the reforms. Analysts say such numbers are not just impressive; they are transformative, given that land administration has long been plagued by inefficiency, corruption, and opacity.
Many attribute the success to a combination of leadership integrity, system automation, and consistent performance monitoring. The agency’s revenue collection has improved markedly, with previously overlooked or infrequently paid charges now being remitted promptly. This has contributed to the growth of the Borno State government’s internally generated revenue.
More importantly, BOGIS’s activities in recent years have helped demystify land ownership processes for ordinary citizens, many of whom previously viewed land administration as inaccessible and riddled with bureaucracy.
Borno, a globally pitied axis of insecurity, is rewriting its story: from terror to business, tourism, and real estate development, underscoring the message that the troubled Lake Chad shores entity is striding out of its predicaments into possibilities for global investors to explore.
