C’River GIS Agency, Archibong Bag Double Honours at National GovTech Awards
By Ebi COLLINS
The Cross River State Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA) has earned national recognition for its advances in digital land administration and geospatial technology, winning two awards at the 2026 Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards.
The agency emerged as the Most Improved State GIS/Digital Land Administration Agency, while its Director-General, Hon. William Archibong Jr., received the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award at the ceremony held at Zuma Hall, Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja.
The awards were presented by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), under the Presidency, during the 4th Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was represented at the ceremony by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, mni, who presented the honours.
According to the agency, the institutional award recognises its progress in deploying geospatial technology to improve public administration, strengthen evidence-based decision-making and support development planning across key sectors of Cross River State.
A major innovation contributing to the agency’s growing profile 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, providing useful data for monitoring production and improving the management of agricultural value chains.
CRGIA described the system as a pioneering effort among subnational governments in Nigeria, with the potential for wider application across Africa. Its development reflects the growing use of location-based data to support agricultural planning, transparency and more effective public-sector interventions.
The agency has also extended the application of geospatial intelligence to social inclusion and environmental protection through collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Among its recent interventions is a geospatial survey of persons living with disabilities, intended to provide information that can guide targeted policies and improve the planning of services for vulnerable groups.
In environmental management, CRGIA has established spatial early-warning systems to strengthen environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness and risk management. These systems provide location-based intelligence that can assist authorities in identifying potential hazards and planning timely responses to emerging threats.
Speaking after receiving the awards, Archibong dedicated the honours to Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the agency’s technical workforce, crediting the governor’s appointment, strategic support and provision of an enabling environment for the progress recorded by the agency.
“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,” Archibong said.
He noted that the recognition would spur the agency to intensify efforts to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and expand the integration of geospatial intelligence into the operations of critical sectors of the state’s economy.
Archibong added that the agency remained committed to developing technology-driven solutions that would improve public administration, support informed policy decisions and enhance service delivery to residents of Cross River State.
The 4th Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards brought together public-sector policymakers, technology leaders and development partners to showcase digital innovations and promote the modernisation of public service delivery. CRGIA’s double recognition highlights the agency’s growing role in applying geospatial technology to public administration and development planning in Cross River State.
