Blockchain Pixel-Level Geospatial

Information Services for Nigeria:

Presented by:

Dr John Ogbole
Assistant Director
Strategic Space Applications
Department, NASRDA
 Blockchain

Secure Data Storage: Blockchain is a technology that

stores data across many computers in a way that makes
it very secure and transparent. Once data is added, it
can't be changed, ensuring data integrity
Introduction to It provides immutability and trust by recording every
Blockchain and transaction in a secure chain of blocks.
Geospatial
Information Pixel-Level Information:

High-Resolution Data: Pixel-level data refers to very

detailed geospatial data (each pixel represents a specific
part of the land), which is used for accurate analysis,
such as tracking crop health or land changes.
 Blockchain ensures
data integrity through
immutability
Why
Blockchain Decentralized nature
for enhances trust
Geospatial among multiple
Information stakeholders
Services? Geospatial data can
benefit from improved
access, security, and
validation
 What is Pixel-Level Data?
• Represents the smallest, most detailed
unit in geospatial imagery, offering high-
resolution insights.
Overview Importance
• Crucial for applications like precision
of Pixel- agriculture, urban planning, and disaster
Level response.
Geospatial • Provides granular data for better-informed
decision-making in various sectors.
Information Key Benefits
• High Precision: Allows identification of
specific features or anomalies.
• Timeliness: Supports near-real-time
monitoring and analysis.
 1. Data Accessibility and Infrastructure
Access to geospatial data is limited by connectivity issues, especially in remote
areas. High costs and limited cloud infrastructure further restrict real-time data
use.

Challenges 2. Data Processing and Analysis

Processing large geospatial datasets requires significant computational power
with and expertise. Many platforms lack scalability, making real-time analysis
challenging.
Current 3. Data Quality and Accuracy
Geospatial Geospatial data often varies in quality, limiting precision in applications like
agriculture. Errors from environmental factors, like cloud cover, impact data
Information accuracy.

Systems 4. Data Privacy and Security

Protecting sensitive geospatial data is crucial but challenging. Many systems
lack robust security, risking unauthorized access to critical information.

5. Interoperability Between Systems

Different geospatial systems often lack compatibility, complicating data sharing
and integration. Standardization efforts are limited, leading to isolated data silos.
 1. Data Integrity
Blockchain ensures that geospatial data remains unaltered once recorded.
Its immutable ledger keeps a transparent, tamper-proof history of data
entries.
2. Enhanced Transparency
Blockchain allows stakeholders to access a real-time, shared view of data
The Role of transactions. This transparency builds trust, as all parties can verify data
origins and updates.
Blockchain 3. Secure Data Sharing
With blockchain, data access can be restricted to authorized users through
in cryptographic security. This ensures that sensitive geospatial information
remains protected.
Geospatial 4. Traceability

Data Blockchain’s audit trail enables users to track the entire history of a dataset.
Each update or transaction is recorded, making it easy to verify data

Managemen sources and changes over time.

5. Smart Contracts
t Smart contracts on blockchain automate data-related processes, such as
data validation and access permissions. They streamline operations and
reduce reliance on intermediaries.
6. Cost Efficiency
Blockchain can reduce costs by eliminating the need for third-party data
verification. It facilitates direct data exchange between entities, enhancing
efficiency in data transactions.
 •Data Integrity
Blockchain ensures that geospatial data, once recorded, cannot be altered.
Each entry is time-stamped and stored in an immutable ledger, providing a
transparent and secure history of spatial data.
•Enhanced Transparency
Blockchain allows multiple stakeholders (e.g., government bodies, landowners,
organizations) to access the same dataset in real-time, ensuring transparency
and trust in the data's origins and modifications.
•Secure Data Sharing

Blockchain Geospatial data can be securely shared using blockchain's cryptographic

features. Only authorized users can access or modify the data, ensuring the
privacy and security of sensitive geographic information.
-Pixel- •Smart Contracts for Data Access
Smart contracts enable automated, rule-based access to geospatial data. For
Level example, access permissions can be granted or revoked based on specific
conditions, such as user roles or data usage.

Integratio •Audit Trail & Traceability

Blockchain creates a verifiable audit trail for every transaction involving

n geospatial data. This makes it easy to track changes, validate the source of
data, and ensure data accuracy over time.
•Decentralization & Data Control
Blockchain decentralizes data control, eliminating the need for a central
authority. This enhances data availability and resilience, as there is no single
point of failure.
•Cost Efficiency
Blockchain reduces the need for intermediaries in geospatial data transactions,
leading to lower costs for validation, data verification, and transfer.
 Google Earth Engine:

Pros: Allows large-scale data analysis.

Limitations: Restricted user functions and scalability in

Existing a local Nigerian context.

EO
Sentinel Hub:

Platform Pros: Provides multi-tier access for data visualization.

s Limitations: Lacks advanced data processing and

customizations tailored for Nigeria.
Dunia:

Pros: African-focused, user-friendly platform.

Limitations: Lacks Nigeria-specific environmental,

socio-economic, and infrastructure datasets.
 AMMS (Automated Mapping &
Monitoring Services):
Provides real-time, precise geospatial data for proactive
planning.

Nigeria Streamlines the data-to-decision pipeline for rapid response and

Automated planning.

Mapping
• Purpose: Platforms that automate data
&Monitorin acquisition, analysis, and dissemination.
g Services
• Advantage: Provides near-real-time
data insights for users without needing
extensive technical expertise.
 High-Resolution Data:

Nigeria-Specific: Incorporate satellite and auxiliary

data focused on Nigerian geography and socio-
economic conditions.
Proposed Tailored Analytics:
NASRDA
Customizatio
Localized Analysis: Customize analytics tools with
ns Nigeria-specific environmental and socio-economic
datasets for relevant insights.
Enhanced Capabilities:

Sectoral Support: Address unique needs of

agriculture, disaster management, and urban
planning in Nigeria.
 Main Goal:

To develop a tailored, automated EO platform

Project addressing Nigeria-specific challenges.

Scope for Objectives:

NASRDA' Needs Assessment: Evaluate sectoral

s EO- requirements to inform platform design.

Scalable, Accessible Design: Create an adaptable

AMMS platform suitable for varied user needs, from
policymakers to researchers.

Machine Learning Integration: Enhance data

analysis with predictive and automated analytics.

Stakeholder Capacity Building: Provide training

and support to enable effective use and application
of the platform.
Applications:
Blockchain in Agricultural
Geospatial Applications

• Land Ownership & Transaction Records:

Blockchain securely stores land records,
reducing disputes over ownership.
• Data Source: Landsat 8 (USGS) for crop
patterns; Sentinel-2 (Copernicus) for
vegetation.
• Benefiting Agencies: NAERLS, NIRSAL,
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development.
• Supply Chain Tracking: Verifies organic
certification, prevents fraud in agro-products.
• Data Source: MODIS (NASA Earthdata)
for crop health; Sentinel-1 (soil moisture).
• Benefiting Agencies: NEPC, NASC,
Nigerian Ports Authority.
 Blockchain for Security in
Geospatial Applications
• Geospatial Surveillance Logging:
Blockchain provides secure, tamper-proof
logging of satellite and UAV data for
monitoring borders and assets.
• Data Source: WorldView-3 (DigitalGlobe)
for high-resolution imagery; Sentinel-2
(Copernicus) for area-wide surveillance.
• Benefiting Agencies: NEPC, NASC,
Nigerian Ports Authority.
• Proof of Location for Incident Reporting:
Verifiable geolocation for reporting incidents
like illegal mining or poaching.
• Data Source: Landsat 9 (USGS) for
change detection; Sentinel-1 radar for
mining activity monitoring.
• Benefiting Agencies: Nigerian Police
Force, NSCDC, Ministry of Defense.
Disaster Management
Applications

• Resource Allocation & Relief Tracking:

Blockchain tracks relief distribution, ensuring
transparency in logistics.
• Data Source: Sentinel-1 and 2
(Copernicus) for damage assessment;
Landsat 8 (USGS) for landscape changes.
• Benefiting Agencies: NEMA, Ministry of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster
Management and Social Development.
• Early Warning Systems: Secures IoT data
from sensors, enhancing early warning for
floods and droughts.
• Data Source: GPM (NASA) for
precipitation; MODIS for drought
monitoring.
• Benefiting Agencies: NiMet, NEMA,
Ministry of Environment.
Climate Change and Environmental
Conservation

• Carbon Credit Tracking: Blockchain

facilitates transparent carbon credit
transactions to monitor climate action.
• Data Source: Sentinel-5P (Copernicus)
for greenhouse gases; Landsat 8 (USGS)
for deforestation.
• Benefiting Agencies: Ministry of
Environment, NESREA, FRIN.
• Data Sharing for Environmental
Monitoring: Blockchain creates secure
platforms for data sharing among
researchers.
• Data Source: MODIS for land cover;
Sentinel-2 for vegetation and water
monitoring.
• Benefiting Agencies: NiMet, NOSDRA,
NASRDA.
Urban Space Management

• Land Registry & Property Rights:

Blockchain maintains property records,
reducing fraud in real estate.
• Data Source: Sentinel-2 (Copernicus)
for land use changes; Landsat 8 (USGS)
for urban growth.
• Benefiting Agencies: Ministry of Works
and Housing, SURCON, NIWRMC.
• Smart City Data Management: Secures
IoT data from smart city infrastructure,
enhancing urban planning.
• Data Source: WorldView-3
(DigitalGlobe) for urban monitoring;
Sentinel-2 for sprawl.
• Benefiting Agencies: FCDA, NCC,
Ministry of Transportation.
Water Resource
Management Applications

• Water Quality and Usage Tracking:

Blockchain improves accountability in water
distribution records.
• Data Source: Sentinel-2 for water body
monitoring; Landsat 8 (USGS) for water
quality changes.
• Benefiting Agencies: NIWRMC, Ministry
of Water Resources, National Water
Resources Institute.
• Flood Monitoring and Early Warning:
Blockchain ensures reliability of real-time
flood data for decision-making.
• Data Source: Sentinel-1 radar for flood
extent; MODIS for regional water level
changes.
• Benefiting Agencies: NEMA, NiMet,
Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Forestry and Land
Management

• Deforestation Tracking and Prevention:

Blockchain records deforestation activities,
ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Data Source: Sentinel-2 for forest
health; Landsat 8 (USGS) for historical
tracking.
• Benefiting Agencies: NESREA, FRIN,
Ministry of Environment.
• Land Use and Carbon Sequestration
Tracking: Blockchain supports carbon trading
by tracking sequestration efforts.
• Data Source: Sentinel-5P for
atmospheric CO₂; Landsat 9 for forest
cover changes.
• Benefiting Agencies: Ministry of
Environment, FRIN, NCF.
Public Health and
Epidemiology

• Disease Spread and Contact

Tracing: Blockchain tracks
disease spread and contact
tracing, especially useful in
pandemics.
• Data Source: Sentinel-2,
Landsat 9, NOAA AVHRR,
GNSS for environmental
conditions.
• Benefiting Agencies:
Federal Ministry of Health,
NEMA, National Centre for
Disease Control.
 Phase 2:
Phase 1:
Blockchain
Feasibility
infrastructure
studies, pilot
development,
Project Scope: project in key
system
Nigerian regions
Development integration
and
Implementatio Phase 3: National
n Phases rollout of
blockchain-
enabled
geospatial
services
 NASRDA: Technical Government/
lead for geospatial MDAs: Policy

Stakeholde
data collection and creation, funding,
blockchain and regulatory
management oversight
r
Engageme
nt and Private sector:
Roles
Local
Technology
communities: End
solutions,
users, training,
infrastructure
and adoption
development
 Collaborating with
international geospatial and
blockchain organizations

Collaboration
Opportunities Case studies from other
countries implementing
and blockchain in geospatial
International data
Partnerships
Opportunities for
international funding and
knowledge exchange
 Using blockchain’s
encryption to protect
sensitive geospatial data
Addressin
g Data Ensuring compliance with
Privacy Nigeria’s data privacy
laws
and
Security
Concerns Anonymization of
sensitive geospatial
information
 Solutions for high-speed
internet and computing
power needs
Overcoming
Challenges
in Building local data centers
for decentralized data
Infrastructur storage
e and
Connectivity
Working with government
to improve digital
infrastructure in remote
areas
 Training government
officials, NGOs, and
community leaders

Capacity
Building and Educating technical staff
on blockchain and
Training for geospatial data
Stakeholder management
s
Ongoing workshops and
seminars for capacity
development
 Recap: Blockchain can
revolutionize Nigeria’s
geospatial data systems

Conclusion The importance of pilot

and Call to projects and stakeholder
collaboration
Action
Call to action: Moving
forward with feasibility
studies and phased
implementation