Governor Okpebholo Appoints Dr Innocent Bello to Lead EdoGIS Amid Major Land Reforms

Dr. Innocent Bello takes over EdoGIS as Edo State scraps its Ministry of Lands to meet international governance standards.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 10:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Champion Newspapers

A Strategic Shift in Regional Land Governance

The Edo State government has officially confirmed the appointment of Dr. Innocent Ehiaguina Bello as the new Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service. This move, sanctioned by Governor Monday Okpebholo, represents a decisive step in recalibrating how the state manages its spatial data and property records. According to Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor, the transition is designed to bring a high level of technical expertise to a department that will now serve as the primary organ for all land administration within the region.

The Credentials of a Geospatial Academic

Dr. Bello transitions into this state role from a high level position at the National Space Research and Development Agency, where he led the Spatial Data Infrastructure Division. As the National President of the Nigerian Cartographic Association, his background is rooted in the academic and practical application of remote sensing and geospatial intelligence. The government highlighted that his extensive history in published research regarding smart city development and disaster risk mapping will be instrumental in the state's upcoming digital transformation.

Dismantling the Traditional Bureaucratic Framework

In a significant administrative overhaul, the state has moved to scrap the Ministry of Lands and Housing entirely. This structural change elevates the Edo State Geographic Information Service to the central authority for land management, aiming to eliminate redundant bureaucratic layers. By consolidating these powers into a single specialized agency, the administration expects to foster a more transparent environment for property owners and investors, moving away from the fragmented systems of the past.