Lagos to Pilot Digital House Numbering System in Ikeja

The Lagos State Government will next week commence the pilot phase of its digital house numbering initiative, known as the Identifier Project, in Ikeja. The innovative system will assign a unique digital identity to every property, using QR codes and local government-specific colour codes to enhance navigation, security, service delivery, and land documentation.

The development was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled the project during the Nigeria Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme (NLTRDP), held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Sanwo-Olu described the Identifier Project as a “novel technology-driven approach” to resolving land-related issues and improving urban management, stressing that key property details will be instantly accessible through QR code scans.

“This comprehensive digital addressing system will streamline geographic house numbering and street naming across Lagos State,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

How the Identifier Project Works

The Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, explained that the system will modernise Lagos’ infrastructure while improving security, revenue collection, and overall service delivery.

The address plates will contain QR codes embedded with property data and colour-coded to match each local government area. Once scanned, the system will provide key information such as ownership records, building approvals, and outstanding utility bills.

According to Babatunde, the technology will:

• Improve emergency response times
• Enhance postal service efficiency
• Support accurate urban planning
• Curb rental fraud
• Improve location tracking in densely populated areas

Part of a National Modernisation Agenda

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, placed the Lagos initiative within the broader national drive to modernise land administration. He outlined federal plans to increase the share of formally titled land in Nigeria from less than 3% to 50% within the next decade, noting that untitled land cannot be used as collateral and often loses value in transactions.

Following its launch in Ikeja, the Identifier Project is expected to expand across all parts of Lagos State, positioning the city as a leader in digital land management in Nigeria.