The Cross River State Geographic Information Agency was named Most Improved State GIS/Digital Land Administration Agency, while its Director-General, William Archibong Jr., received the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award.

 

The Cross River State Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA) and its Director-General, Hon. William Archibong Jr., have won two awards at the 2026 Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards in recognition of their contributions to digital land administration and geospatial innovation.

 

The agency emerged as the Most Improved State GIS/Digital Land Administration Agency, while Archibong received the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award.

 

The awards were presented by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), under the Presidency, during the 4th Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards held at Zuma Hall, Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja.

 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, who presented the awards.

 

According to the agency, the institutional recognition reflects its progress in digital land administration and the use of geospatial technology to improve governance and promote evidence-based decision-making across critical sectors of Cross River State.

 

Agency Recognised for Digital Land Administration

One of the agency’s notable innovations is an agricultural commodity traceability system developed in partnership with the Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture.

 

The system uses geospatial technology to track agricultural commodities, an initiative the agency described as pioneering among subnational governments in Nigeria, with potential applications across Africa.

 

The innovation is designed to demonstrate how geographic information systems can support agricultural management and improve the use of reliable data in government planning and decision-making.

 

Beyond agriculture, the agency has collaborated with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to deploy geospatial intelligence in social inclusion and environmental protection.

 

As part of its efforts to support inclusive policymaking, CRGIA recently conducted a geospatial survey of persons living with disabilities to provide data that could guide targeted government interventions.

 

The agency has also established spatial early-warning systems to strengthen environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness and risk management across the state.

 

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Archibong Dedicates Awards to Otu, Technical Team

Reacting to the recognition, Archibong dedicated the awards to Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, and the agency’s technical workforce.

 

He credited the governor’s appointment, strategic support and provision of an enabling environment with helping the agency advance its reforms and expand the application of geospatial technology in public administration.

 

Archibong said geographic information systems had evolved beyond their traditional role in property documentation to become essential tools for addressing broader governance and development challenges.

“Geographic Information Systems are no longer merely tools for property documentation. They are the bedrock of modern governance, providing the spatial intelligence required to solve cross-sector challenges, protect our environment, and ensure inclusive, sustainable development,” he said

The Director-General added that the awards would further strengthen the agency’s commitment to improving public service delivery by reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and integrating geospatial intelligence into the operations of critical sectors of the state’s economy.

 

He emphasised the importance of using technology and reliable spatial data to improve government efficiency and support sustainable development.

 

GovTech Conference Promotes Public Service Innovation

The 4th Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards brought together public-sector policymakers, technology leaders and development partners to showcase innovations and promote the modernisation of public service delivery in Nigeria.

 

The double recognition places CRGIA among the agencies receiving national attention for their efforts to apply digital technology to public administration.

 

For Cross River State, the awards highlight the growing role of geospatial technology in land administration, agricultural development, environmental protection, disaster preparedness and inclusive policymaking.

 

The recognition also underscores the potential of digital innovation to improve government operations and support more informed decisions on public policies and development priorities.