Kwara State has unveiled an automation system for land matters, effectively turning the page on manual processing and enabling applicants to get titles for their land within two weeks to 30 working days, provided all necessary conditions have been met.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq made the disclosure at the launch of the Kwara State Geographic Land Information Service-based digital land information system in Ilorin on Monday.

According to a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, AbdulRazaq spoke about the significance of the shift: “Today marks another bold step in our commitment to innovation, transparency, and efficiency in public service delivery.”

The Governor acknowledged the chronic issues that the new system is designed to resolve.

He stated: “For decades, the process of land administration in many states, including Kwara, has been characterized by manual records, inefficiencies, and delays that discourage investors, slow down property transactions, and create room for abuse.”

He emphasized that his administration was determined to change this narrative, explaining that the KW-GIS Digital Land Information System “represented a complete transformation in how land records are managed in Kwara State. It provides a modern, automated, transparent platform that ensures every parcel of land in the state is digitally captured, documented, and easily retrievable.”

AbdulRazaq highlighted the numerous benefits of the new system, which include eliminating the duplication and loss of land records, significantly shortening the processing time for Certificates of Occupancy and other land documents, enhancing revenue generation, and promoting investor confidence by ensuring the certainty and security of land ownership.

He hailed the launch as a major milestone in the state’s ease of doing business reforms, urging all stakeholders to embrace the change.

Dr. Hauwa Nuru, Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council, said the initiative positions Kwara as a national leader in several World Bank–supported programs, including NG-CARES, SABER, and the HOPE Program.

She praised the Governor’s commitment to institutional change, stating: “This outstanding progress is a testament to Your Excellency’s unwavering commitment to institutional reforms, accountability, and sustainable development.”

Similarly, the Executive Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi, confirmed that the new system “bridges longstanding gaps in land administration, documentation, and record accuracy by leveraging modern technology to establish a transparent and efficient land management system.”

She noted that the integration of the KW-IRS online payment platform with the KW-GIS system further complements the digital advancement, ensuring that “Investors, titleholders, and the general public can now register land, process CofO, obtain building approvals, and make all related payments online, seamlessly and transparently reducing bureaucracy and strengthening public trust.”

Omoniyi also confirmed that the State Government has reviewed and harmonized existing laws governing land administration to align with modern standards, assuring that “These reforms guarantee clarity, fairness, and efficiency in property rights, title documentation, and investment transactions.”

The Executive Secretary of KW-GIS, Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem, called the launch a milestone in the history of land administration, and pledged, in line with the Kwara Smart City project, to digitize all land and ensure necessary documents are archived for future generations to guard against encroachment.

He also commended AbdulRazaq for approving the release of ₦560 million as compensation for parts of the land acquired for the Smart City project.

The Project Consultant, Dr. Paul Adepelumi, explained that the digitalization of KW-GIS has set a new national standard and will ease online application for land, make C of O processing faster, and remove all bottlenecks. Adepelumi summarized the change: “KWGIS is not just a platform but a revolution. It takes us from files to digital records, from delay to speed, and from opacity to transparency.”

The Project Manager, Engr. Ali Muhammad Kalot, detailed that features of the digital service include digital parcel mapping, land records integration, revenue generation, and user access/security control.

He confirmed that over 200 KW-GIS staff have been trained and equipped to handle all processes, adding: “We have scanned more than 1000 layouts. We have also digitized all the plots in our KW-GIS platform, numbering about 20,000 plots. And this is a key achievement of our project.”