By Felix Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA) and its Director-General, 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 at the fourth Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards held at Zuma Hall, Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja.
The awards were presented by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms under the Presidency, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Abubakar Ibrahim Kana.
According to the agency, the institutional award recognises its efforts to improve digital land administration and deploy geospatial technology for governance and evidence-based decision-making across key sectors of the state.
One of its notable initiatives 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, with the agency describing it as a pioneering initiative among subnational governments in Nigeria and potentially across Africa.
The agency has also deployed geospatial intelligence in social inclusion and environmental protection in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
It recently conducted a geospatial survey of persons living with disabilities to support targeted policy interventions, while establishing spatial early-warning systems to strengthen environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness and risk management.
Speaking after receiving the awards, Archibong dedicated the honours to Governor Bassey Otu and the agency’s technical workforce, crediting the governor’s appointment, strategic support and provision of an enabling environment for the agency’s progress.
He said, “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.”
The director-general added that the recognition would strengthen the agency’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and integrating geospatial intelligence into the operations of critical sectors of the state’s economy.
The fourth 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.
