A Geospatial Data Governance Plan for Improving Electricity Access in Nigeria

This Data Governance Plan establishes a framework for improving the management, sharing, and use of geospatial energy data across the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and partner institutions. It defines the standards, roles, responsibilities, and processes required to ensure that energy datasets are consistently collected, validated, documented, stored, updated, and made accessible for effective energy planning and decision-making.  The plan addresses the current challenge of fragmented geospatial data management across Nigeria’s energy sector. Key datasets, including transmission networks, distribution infrastructure, electrification projects, and renewable energy resources, are managed by different institutions with varying formats, quality levels, documentation practices, and update cycles. This limits the availability of reliable and up-to-date information needed for coordinated planning and efficient investment decisions.  To address these challenges, the plan proposes that ECN serves as the coordinating institution for the national energy geospatial database, while data-producing organisations retain ownership and responsibility for maintaining their datasets. It also recommends the adoption of common geospatial standards, metadata requirements, quality assurance procedures, and formal data-sharing agreements among stakeholders.  Within 12 months, ECN will establish an operational geospatial data governance framework, with priority datasets documented, quality-controlled, and accessible through GeoNode. This will strengthen collaboration among energy institutions, improve data availability, and support more effective identification of energy access gaps and electrification planning.