Lagos Launches Digital Identity Project for Enhanced Service Delivery

The Lagos State Government has introduced an Identity Project aimed at digitalizing house numbering to enhance service delivery, modernize the planning process, and improve property identification across the state. This initiative is designed to address critical issues such as swift emergency responses, unidentified addresses, and tax evasion activities.

Dr. Olajide Babajide, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geographic Information System (e-GIS), launched the system at Alausa on Tuesday. He emphasized that the project is about providing Lagosians with world-class services, addressing issues ranging from tax evasion to untraceable addresses. The new digital system is seen as a comprehensive solution to these challenges.

The Lagos Identity Project will initially be tested in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area. Upon successful implementation, the initiative will expand to all 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas. The project involves community participation for data accuracy and is being implemented by trained youths under the Ibile programme. Babajide noted that the project aligns with international benchmarks and global data protection standards, reflecting the state government's commitment to modernized governance and service delivery.

The Lagos Identity System includes a digital address feature with QR codes and local government-specific color codes. Scanning the QR code provides access to significant property data, improving emergency response, postal delivery, and urban planning accuracy. This initiative is part of Lagos' broader smart city agenda, building on past tech footprints such as the state’s data center, which earned recognition from global institutions.

A tech expert and partner, Yinka Adesiyan, highlighted that the address plates feature incorporates Know Your Customer (KYC), supporting urban planning and strengthening security across the state. The project aims to make Lagos safer, smarter, and more transparent, enabling emergency responders, utility workers, and residents to navigate the city more effectively.

The Lagos Identity Project is particularly important given the state's high housing demands and real estate investments. With 60% of residents being tenants and housing demand estimated to be over 3.17 million as of 2023, the system will help improve rental activities and curb fraud with location tracking in densely populated communities. Lagos, with a population of about 21.3 million and growing by 1 million annually, is the second most populous state in Nigeria. The metropolitan Lagos area hosts about 85% of the population, resulting in an average population density of 20,000 persons per sq km.

In addition to its fast-rising population, Lagos is an appealing tech talent hub with a growing tech sector that attracts significant funding. Despite challenges like traffic and power difficulties, the city's ecosystem fosters innovation with successful startups like Moniepoint and Flutterwave. Various tech initiatives and education programs by the state government further boost the city’s tech ecosystem. Infrastructure projects such as the Lagos Rail Mass Transit and road expansions have also increased the demand for property in areas like Lekki, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi.

For enhanced coordination of these resources, the digitalized initiative helps the government plan and manage the state, providing more accurate data on property ownership and zoning. Its full implementation will bring better services for residents and effective governance, aligning with the state's broader smart city agenda and commitment to modernized service delivery.