By Etop Ekanem

As the year draws to a close, Geoinfotech Resources Limited convened technology professionals, geospatial experts, innovators, industry practitioners, and policy stakeholders at the GeoInfoTech Innovation Summit 2025, positioning the event as a strategic end-of-year knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at strengthening capacity and preparing Nigeria’s geospatial ecosystem for emerging technology trends.

Held in Lagos, the summit brought together voices from government, academia, and the private sector to examine the growing relevance of Geo-AI, drone technology, and intelligent mapping systems in supporting smarter planning, business efficiency, and sustainable national development.

Geo-AI and drone mapping use smart technology and aerial images to collect accurate location data. For businesses, this helps protect assets, reduce losses, and make better investment decisions. For governments, it supports improved security planning, better infrastructure development, and informed decision-making that drives sustainable national growth.

The summit, themed “Fusing Geo-AI and Drones for Smarter Mapping,” marked the anniversary of Geoinfotech Resources Limited and formed part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on capacity building, innovation readiness, and knowledge exchange within Nigeria’s geospatial ecosystem.

Strong Participation Across Sectors
The event recorded an impressive turnout of over 1,000 participants, including representatives from key institutions such as the State Surveyor General’s Office, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and Lagos State e-GIS, alongside professionals, academics, students, and private-sector stakeholders.

While the focus of the summit was technical capacity building and innovation, it took place against the backdrop of Nigeria’s increasing demand for reliable, data-driven systems to support planning, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, and informed decision-making across both public and private sectors—areas where geospatial intelligence continues to play an increasingly important role.

Delivering the welcome address, Temitope Makinde, Managing Director and CEO of Geoinfotech Resources Limited, highlighted the strategic importance of Geo-AI and drone-enabled intelligence:
Makinde said: “The synergy of AI and UAVs is the ultimate force multiplier for the geospatial industry. At the Geo-Innovation Summit, we’ve demonstrated that this integration isn’t just about flight—it’s about intelligence. By automating the transition from data capture to insight, we are enabling faster decision-making, higher data accuracy, and significantly lower operational costs.

“From the precision inspection of powerlines and pipelines to disaster response and smart-city security, our technology removes human risk from hazardous environments. Whether optimising agricultural yields or securing urban infrastructure, we are offering scalable, tech-driven solutions to real-world industrial challenges.

“For investors, this represents a unique opportunity to back the foundational technologies of the next industrial revolution.”

He added that the Geo-Innovation Summit represents the organisation’s way of giving back to the ecosystem by ensuring that professionals, institutions, and young talents are equipped to meet the future demands of the industry.

Technical Sessions and Industry Insights
The summit featured four high-impact technical sessions, delivering practical insights into emerging tools, regulatory considerations, and real-world applications.

Sessions were experts including: Mercy Akintola, CEO of Merczcord Technologies, Ebenezer Olugbenga, GIS Team Lead at Geoinfotech, and Precious Egbo-Egbo, who represented Femi Adekoya, Founder and CEO, Integrated Aerial Precision.

A panel discussion titled “Fusing Innovation and Policy: Building Nigeria’s Smart Mapping Future” further explored policy alignment, data governance, infrastructure readiness, and skills development within the geospatial space.

Innovation Launches and Talent Development
A major highlight of the summit was the launch of three software solutions developed by Geoinfotech’s research team — GGIS App, DRONESXY, and GEO-AI — aimed at advancing spatial intelligence, automation, and analytical capabilities for both public and private sector use.

The summit also featured the Geo-Innovation Map Challenge, rewarding innovative map designs and solutions from emerging professionals. Due to the quality of submissions, the ₦150,000 prize was jointly awarded to Benedicta Uba and Ayoola Timileyin, reinforcing the organisers’ commitment to nurturing talent and innovation.

With the successful hosting of the 2025 edition, Geoinfotech Resources Limited reaffirmed its commitment to capacity building, innovation, and sustainable ecosystem development within Nigeria’s geospatial industry.