Lagos Launches QR-Coded Digital House Numbering System to Tackle Tax Evasion, Urban Challenges
The Lagos State Government has officially launched the Lagos Identity Project, a cutting-edge digital house-numbering system designed to revolutionise property identification, streamline service delivery, and support urban planning across the state.
Unveiled on Tuesday at Alausa by Dr. Olajide Babajide, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geographic Information System (e-GIS), the initiative directly targets longstanding issues including tax evasion, untraceable addresses, rental fraud, and delayed emergency responses. “We’ve had issues ranging from tax evasion to untraceable addresses. This new digital system is the solution,” said Dr. Babajide.
QR-Coded Address Plates to Power Smart Lagos
A core feature of the system is the deployment of digital address plates embedded with QR codes and local government-specific colour codes. When scanned, these QR codes reveal key property data—enhancing emergency response times, postal service efficiency, and urban development accuracy. The project aligns with the broader Smart Lagos agenda, aiming to make the state globally competitive through technology-driven governance.
“This isn’t just a project; it’s a legacy that aligns with international benchmarks,” Babajide noted, referencing the World Bank’s past commendations of Lagos’ data infrastructure milestones.
Pilot Launch in Eti-Osa with Statewide Rollout Planned
The Lagos Identity Project is being piloted in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area, with plans to expand to all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) upon successful evaluation.
Implementation is being carried out by trained youths under the Ibile program, ensuring accurate data collection and local engagement. The initiative is also backed by Interspatial, a geospatial technology company that spent two years conducting aerial mapping across the state.
Security, Transparency, and Smart Governance
Yinka Adesiyan, a technical partner and co-sponsor of the initiative, emphasised the digital system’s security, transparency, and efficiency benefits. “This project goes beyond house numbers. It makes Lagos safer, smarter, and more transparent,” Adesiyan said. He further explained that the address plates integrate Know Your Customer (KYC) components, supporting both urban planning and security enforcement.
Full Government Funding Demonstrates Commitment
The Lagos State Government fully funded the project, an indication of its strong commitment to modernising governance and delivering world-class public services. Dr. Babajide concluded by affirming that the project meets global civic identity and data protection standards, making it a model for other cities in Africa and beyond.
Key Benefits of the Lagos Digital Addressing System:
- Enhanced tax collection and transparency
- Improved emergency response times
- Better postal and utility service delivery
- Reduced rental fraud and untraceable addresses
- Advanced location tracking for public services
- Youth empowerment through digital skill deployment
- Alignment with international smart city standards
The Lagos Identity Project marks a bold step towards building a smarter, safer, and more accountable Lagos. With its digital infrastructure, the city is paving the way for a future where every property is traceable, every resident is reachable, and every service is deliverable.
