Buba Felix Ndukson

Achieving Integration of Nigerian Cadastral and Topographic Information Systems Based on the German AAA Model

Now more than ever before data integration has become a very important issue because of the problems associated with heterogeneous geospatial data. It is almost impossible to handle heterogeneous data in a coherent manner because different data sets have different methods of acquisition, different representations, different resolutions and quality, and are based on different data models. Analysis of different data sets becomes difficult and data sharing almost impossible. Germany successfully integrated their topographic, cadastral, and geodetic data sets into a single application schema called the AAA data model. This ensured standardization and the elimination of redundancies leading to coherent analyses and data sharing. In Nigeria, the national mapping agency is the custodian of topographic and geodetic data sets while cadastral data sets are the responsibilities of the various state governments as stipulated in the Nigeria Land Use Act. There is no harmonized system of spatial data management, leading to difficulties in data sharing and other related problems. The goal for Nigeria is to achieve integration which will allow for the exchange of data stemming from different sources, different representations and structures, and thus establish the base for performing combined, integrated analyses, leading to the development of a national spatial data infrastructure which is a sine qua non for sustainable national development and good governance. This paper examines the possibility or viability of the integration of Nigerian cadastral and topographic data sets based on the German AAA data model. The paper also highlights the immense contribution such integration can make to the management of geospatial information in Nigeria. It concludes by challenging the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) to be the catalyst for achieving integration of these fundamental data sets.