Pathways in the Implementation of National Spatial Data Infrastructure in Nigeria and Kenya

Abstract

Recommendations on the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in Nigeria and Kenya invite public organizations to harmonize spatial data sharing policies for the spatial data plays crucial role in national development. This provides justification for governments to investment and prioritises the development of the infrastructure. However, the significance of the infrastructure can be realised through regular update of the geospatial data and availing the same to consumers through the decentralisation of the services to ensure that the technology penetrates every aspect of society. In this regard, this paper analyses the echievemenis made so far in the development and utility of NSDI in Nigeria and Kenya. This is based on the realisation that in most of the African nations, the NSDI has been well conceived with national and various sub-committees inaugurated with donor support yet the incorporation of the infrastructure in the national strategic development policies is minimal. This paper raises the question of what ideally should constitute NSDI as the main objective as well as finding out to what extent the components of the NSDI has been implemented in Nigeria and Kenya. The paper is based on document review on the theoretical basis of the NSDI, the implementation position of the infrastructure in Africa in general, Nigeria and Kenya in particular. To arrive at the conclusions on the implementation status of the infrastructure in Nigeria and Kenya, the performance levels of the various components of the infrastructure is ana lysed. Towards this end, the study found out that there is still greater need for geospatial data producers to transform themselves to suit the requirements of the industry as the practices which are currently being undertaken in the industry betrays the very foundation of data sharing which the NSDI is meant to instil. It is further revealed that there is adequate government and stakeholders' goodwill for the NSDI development in the two countries yet various components of the infrastructure are inadequately implemented. This is happening despite the opportunities which the two countries have which manifests through the availability of indigenous earth observing and communication satellites, outlay of highly trained human resource in geospatial technology and collaboration opportunities for the implementation of the NSDI. This study recommends that the two countries should harness inputs of external players by considering how the international efforts and donor funding can be used in developing the NSDI nationally and regionally. In this regard, the two countries should develop collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). This is because the above stated organisations have developed critical infrastructure for geospatial data collection, storage and dissemination. The national NSDI lead agency should also urgently enforce the usage of geospatial data standards which conform to the ISO standards to assist I users understand how to apply the developed standards.