Students urge to embrace importance of practical learning, technological innovation

Sulyman Babatunde Abdulkareem, Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), has urged students to embrace practical learning and technological innovation as essential tools for building successful careers in land administration and geospatial management.

Abdulkareem gave the advice while addressing 100 and 300-level students of the University of Ilorin on an educational excursion to the agency’s headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State.

In a statement signed by Rowland Olonishuwa, Press Secretary of KWGIS, students who are studying Land Information System and Land Law were in KWGIS to gain first-hand experience in land digitisation processes and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) operations.

Addressing the students, the KWGIS Chairman described GIS technology as a transformative tool that continues to reshape land administration, urban planning, property management, and infrastructure development across the world.

He noted that Kwara State had emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading examples of digital land administration through the reforms and innovations introduced by Governor of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

“What you see here today is the vision of His Excellency, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, whose vision is to ensure that land administration becomes more transparent, efficient, reliable, and accessible to the people. As you can see, technology remains at the heart of that transformation,” Abdulkareem said.

The Chairman further encouraged the students to take advantage of the excursion by asking questions, engaging professionals, and developing a deeper understanding of the practical realities of the profession.

Earlier, Mayaki Madu, the Administrative Secretary of KWGIS, urged the students to take advantage of the opportunity given to them to widen their knowledge and emphasised the agency’s commitment to supporting educational initiatives that strengthen professional capacity in the land sector.

Also, Moshood Hassan, the Director of Land Services, appreciated the students and commended the University of Ilorin for exposing them to practical industry experience.

Hassan explained that modern land administration increasingly depends on digital solutions and data-driven decision-making, stressing that students must equip themselves with the relevant skills required to excel in the evolving sector.

Wahab Ayodeji Jimoh, Deputy Director of Land Services, took students through practical knowledge of how the KWGIS digitalisation works and how to process land on the agency’s digital platform.

During the excursion, the students who were led by Halim Yusuf Agava, HOD of the Department of Estate Management, and Sunday Adeogu, lecturer in charge, toured key departments and facilities within the agency.

The students also had an interactive session with experts who gave them practical insight into how KWGIS manages digital land records and geospatial data.