Lesson-Learning Trajectory of the Development of Geospatial Data Infrastructure in Nigeria 1 Olajide Kufoniyi Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria jkufoniyi@oauife.edu.ng Abstract The development of spatial data infrastructure in one form or the other in Nigeria started in 1990 with an unsuccessful attempt to implement a national land information system. This was followed by the implementation of a Land Information System by Lagos State in the mid- 1990s. The pilot phase of the project was completed but not sustained. Another national effort was made from 1996 to early 1999 to implement a national geographic information system which was to be a part of what was then called a national geoinformation infrastructure (NGII) with committees set-up to draft a policy for the process, and look at technical issues and funding mechanism; attempt was also made to carry out the inventory of existing geospatial datasets in the country before the NGII initiative was abandoned in 1999. In September 2003, the Federal Government of Nigeria, commenced what turned out to be a successful quasi state-level Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) implementation for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, called Abuja Geographic Information Systems. Earlier in September 2002, a National Committee was established and inaugurated by the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology to draft a geoinformation policy for the country. The draft, which was circulated to stakeholders for comments including a stakeholders‟ workshop, was submitted to the Hon Minister in September 2003. A national committee and various sub-committees were then set-up to guide the realisation of the initiative. Attempt was also made in 2010 to review the draft policy with a plan to follow it up with approval of the Government and enactment by the National Assembly. Meanwhile, a „quick win‟ pilot implementation was done in 2010 using four agencies that have mandate to produce some of the fundamental datasets defined in the draft policy. This documentary paper presents an overview of these various attempts at implementing SDI at national and state levels in Nigeria and discusses the challenges faced with the aim of contributing to lesson learning in SDI development in Africa. The paper further examines implemented and on-going geospatial activities, such as implementation of continuously operating reference stations, large scale aerial mapping, e-land administration systems in various states and the national land reform programme that could potentially contribute to SDI development in Nigeria. Keywords: Geospatial data infrastructure, Geospatial information, GIS, SDI, Nigeria 1 INTRODUCTION Realisation of the objectives of national development programmes depends on availability and speedy access to fit-for-purpose geospatial information through provision of relevant infrastructures for geospatial data acquisition, processing, management, standardisation and 1 Kufoniyi O. (2013b), “Lesson-Learning Trajectory of the Development of Geospatial Data Infrastructure in Nigeria”, Proceedings Global Geospatial Conference, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) 4th - 8th Nov 2013, 9p