The Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) says it will soon launch a registration system for land agents designed to strengthen accountability and curb property-related fraud.

The Director-General of KADGIS, Bashir Ibrahim, disclosed this on Wednesday in Kaduna at a town hall meeting on Land Administration Reforms 2026.

Mr Ibrahim said the new system would soon be launched, adding that it would require every land agent in Kaduna to obtain a unique, non-transferable agent code.

He said the code would enable KADGIS to identify agents responsible for land transactions and establish accountability whenever disputes or fraudulent activities arose.

“Every agent must obtain an agent code. If any issue arose, we will know exactly which agent handled the transaction,” he said.

The KADGIS boss said that agents would also be required to register their sub-agents and staff under their codes to ensure accountability for transactions handled on their behalf.

He said the registration would cover both individual land agents and companies operating in the state.

Mr Ibrahim said the system would also address cases where fraudsters impersonated legitimate land agents to sell properties or forge land documents.

He noted that some land agents were previously implicated in investigations, despite not being responsible for transactions carried out, using their identities.

He stated that the new registration system would enable KADGIS and law enforcement agencies to trace transactions and distinguish genuine agents from impersonators.

Mr Ibrahim noted that KADGIS had also strengthened its dispute-resolution mechanism by conducting preliminary investigations before referring land-related complaints to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He said the approach had helped reduce unnecessary investigations involving people whose names were wrongly connected to land transactions.

He said that KADGIS now invites land agents, buyers and disputing property owners to reconciliation meetings to resolve cases before resorting to litigation or law enforcement.

Mr Ibrahim said that more than 3,600 land disputes had been resolved through the mechanism, including cases involving agents, security agencies and courts.

He said that KADGIS allocated alternative plots in appropriate cases to resolve disputes, where parties were found to have been victims of misunderstandings or improper transactions.

He said the agency had also reduced the burden on the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission through document verification and internal dispute resolution.

“Only when there is financial fraud will the EFCC take over and deal with the client,” Mr Ibrahim said.

The KADGIS boss said the agency had secured and standardised land documentation, introduced National Identification Number and Bank Verification Number verification, and improved document security.

He said unencumbered plots could now receive Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) within 72 hours under the reforms.

Mr Ibrahim said KADGIS had reduced its operational workflow from 36 steps to seven, eliminating unnecessary movement of documents between officers.

He said the agency also established a Quality Assurance Department to verify the authenticity and quality of submitted documents before approval.

He said that KADGIS had successfully issued 15,379 signed C-of-Os as part of its reforms.

He noted that the agency introduced regularisation measures under which some applicants, previously required to pay higher, could now process their documents for little amounts.

Mr Ibrahim added that land agents could apply to his office for a 15 per cent discount on documentation fees, while higher discounts could be secured through the governor.

He stated that KADGIS was expanding opportunities for agents through commercial property frameworks, particularly the registration of market shops.

According to him, Kaduna is the first state in Nigeria to introduce sectional titling, allowing properties, such as terraces and shops, to be registered.

He explained that KADGIS engaged market unions to develop strategies that would enable agents to participate more actively in commercial property transactions.

Mr Ibrahim said every property developer in Kaduna must now have corporate social responsibility and security frameworks before being allowed to commence development.

He acknowledged the contributions of district heads to the resolution of land disputes, describing them as anchors of the reconciliation process.

In a presentation, the Head of the Land and Property Fraud Section, EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Michael Adache, described land fraud as a financial crime with a physical address.

Mr Adache added that land fraud involved deliberate deception, forgery, impersonation, manipulation or unlawful conduct to acquire, sell, transfer, mortgage or profit from land.

He identified emerging forms of fraud as cyber-enabled land fraud, forged title documents, multiple allocation, identity theft, land grabbing and insider collusion.

He warned that criminals increasingly exploit digital land systems through fake government websites, cloned portals, stolen passwords, phishing and manipulated electronic documents.

He noted that insider collusion could involve unauthorised alteration of land records, backdating of documents, leakage of confidential information and manipulation of searches.

He argued that land fraud could develop into wider financial crimes, including obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, conspiracy, money laundering and tax-related offences.

Mr Adache explained that not every land dispute constitutes a criminal matter, saying that law enforcement intervention required evidence of criminal intent.

He urged land administrators and stakeholders to strengthen identity verification, cybersecurity, access controls, audit trails, transparency and internal safeguards.

He also called for suspicious transactions to be reported promptly and for digitalisation of land administration to be matched with effective security and accountability measures.

In a remark, Governor Uba Sani described land agency as a legitimate profession, capable of providing opportunities for people when conducted with honesty and transparency.

Mr Sani, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Muhammad AbubaKar, urged agents to ensure that truth remained the foundation of their dealings with clients and other stakeholders in the land sector.

He said, “Adherence to truth will help agents avoid practices capable of creating disputes and undermining confidence in the profession.”

He acknowledged the contributions of the KADGIS boss to resolving land-related challenges across the state.

(NAN)