DIGITAL LAND ADMINISTRATION IN ENHANCING GOVERNANCE: EVALUATING THE SUCCESS OF GOGIS IN LAND CERTIFICATION

ABSTRACT This study examines digital land administration in enhancing governance, with particular focus on evaluating the success of the Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS) in land certification in Gombe State, Nigeria. The study is motivated by the persistent challenges associated with the traditional manual land administration system, such as bureaucratic bottlenecks, delays in processing land titles, lack of transparency, poor record management, and incidences of corruption, which have undermined effective land governance in the state. The study adopts a survey research design. Data are collected from staff of GOGIS, officials of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, and land users in Gombe metropolis using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistical tools, including frequencies and percentages, are used to analyze the data, while hypotheses are tested using appropriate inferential techniques. The theoretical framework of the study is anchored on New Public Management and Communication Theory, which emphasize efficiency, accountability, and effective information flow in public service delivery. Findings reveal that the introduction of GOGIS has significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of land certification processes in Gombe State. The digital system has enhanced transparency, reduced processing time, minimized human interference, improved record accuracy, and strengthened public confidence in land administration. However, the study also identifies challenges such as inadequate ICT infrastructure, limited technical capacity, intermittent power supply, and resistance to change, which continue to affect optimal performance. The study concludes that digital land administration through GOGIS has contributed positively to good governance in Gombe State, though sustained institutional support and continuous system improvement are required. The study recommends strengthening ICT infrastructure, continuous staff training, public sensitization, streamlined administrative procedures, and supportive legal frameworks to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of GOGIS. The study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the role of digital land administration in improving governance at the sub-national level in Nigeria and offers practical insights for policymakers and administrators seeking to reform land governance systems. Keywords: Digital land administration, governance, GOGIS, land certification, e-governance, Gombe State.