Without a reliable addressing system, authorities struggle to plan infrastructure, deliver utilities, or respond promptly in emergencies.

The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Identity Project, a digital house-numbering and identification system aimed at transforming property mapping, urban planning, service delivery, and emergency response across the state.

According to local media, the project was unveiled on Tuesday, June 24, in Alausa by Dr. Olajide Babajide, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geographic Information System (e-GIS). It marks a major step in Lagos’ smart city journey. It introduces QR-coded digital address plates with local government-specific color codes, enabling instant access to verified property data via mobile devices.

“This project is about providing Lagosians with the world-class services they truly deserve,” Babajide said. “From tax evasion to untraceable addresses and delayed emergency responses, this system offers a comprehensive solution to long-standing urban challenges.”

The Lagos Identity Project is currently being piloted in Eti-Osa Local Government Area and is expected to scale across all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LGs and LCDAs) following successful implementation. The project is executed through the Ibile youth program, promoting community engagement and ensuring the accuracy of data collection.

Developed in partnership with geospatial technology firm Interspatial, the system is backed by two years of aerial mapping and field validation. In addition to enhancing address traceability, the platform is designed to curb rental fraud, improve postal services, and support utility companies with reliable geolocation data.

Babajide emphasized that the initiative aligns with international benchmarks for civic identification and data protection and is part of a broader digital governance vision. The Lagos State Government has fully funded the project, a commitment Babajide says demonstrates the administration’s intent to modernize governance and deliver smarter, more efficient public services.

The Lagos Identity Project is a major step toward modernizing urban governance in one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. Lagos has struggled with informal housing, poor address traceability, and unstructured development—contributing to delayed emergency response, inefficient tax collection, delivery challenges, and real estate fraud.

By deploying QR-coded digital address plates linked to a centralized system, the project enhances property identification, tax compliance, urban planning, and safety. It also supports Lagos’ broader smart city strategy, setting a precedent for scalable, tech-enabled governance in other Nigerian states and across Africa.

Hikmatu Bilali