By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki.
The Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced plans to fully digitalize the State Ministry of Lands and Survey by next year as part of efforts to end land grabbing, double registration, and other land-related disputes.
The State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Matthew Nwobashi, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abakaliki.
He said the digital transformation, already approved by the governor, would overhaul land acquisition, search, and registration processes across the state.
According to him, the initiative which is expected to cost several billions of naira has been included in the current budget cycle, saying, once completed, it will eliminate long-standing problems associated with land documentation and ownership verification.
“With the approval of His Excellency, the full digitalization of the ministry will commence. Though it will cost billions, it has been captured in this year’s budget. Once operational, issues like double purchasing and double registration will be a thing of the past,” Nwobashi said.
He explained that the new system will allow citizens to verify land information, register documents, and conduct searches from the comfort of their homes.
“You will be able to search for land online and complete registration without physical obstacles. Land grabbing will also be drastically reduced, because only unregistered land can be grabbed,” he added.
The Commissioner highlighted several achievements recorded under the present administration, including increased efficiency in government land acquisition and issuance of key land documents such as Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), power of attorney, and letters of exchange.
He also revealed that the ministry secured a 60 percent budgetary increase for 2026, a development he says will further enhance service delivery.
“With over sixty percent increase in next year’s budget, expectations are high. A larger budget means we can achieve even more,” he stated.
Dr. Nwobashi also expressed support for Governor Nwifuru’s plan to borrow over ₦150 billion to establish a new cement factory in the state, describing it as a strategic step to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
On the controversy surrounding the 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 it was originally acquired from the Ishieke, Nsuruakpa, and Umuegara communities for overriding public interest, with a Certificate of Occupancy already issued to EBSU.
“It is an aberration for the state government to reclaim land already allocated for public interest and redistribute it to individuals or groups. We have reversed the land back to the university,” he said.
He added that if the land is to be reassigned, the institution being the legal holder of the C of O must issue a sub-lease strictly for developments that align with the university’s interests.
