A socio-cultural group, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, has criticised the Lagos State Government over its decision to outsource the issuance of indigeneship certificates to Qista Technologies, a firm it described as “little-known” and “inactive.” The group said the move amounts to the “capture of Lagos State identity” and warned that it threatens long-standing cultural and constitutional processes for verifying lineage and community belonging.
In a statement signed by its media officer, Lasisi Robert, the group said indigeneship certificates have historically been issued by local government authorities and traditional institutions, particularly the Oba of Lagos, noting that these are the lawful custodians of identity verification. Replacing them with a private vendor, it argued, undermines cultural heritage and elevates “software over sovereignty.” It also alleged that Qista Technologies is a sole proprietorship with no track record in digital identity systems and questioned how such a firm was entrusted with sensitive responsibilities.
The group raised concerns that the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reportedly begun rejecting local-government-issued indigeneship certificates in favour of the new state-generated version tied to Qista’s platform, a development it said has alarmed families and communities. It warned that centralising indigeneship at the state level and involving an unregistered contractor could lead to cultural dilution, data insecurity, fraud, and erosion of heritage.
De Renaissance Patriots Foundation called for transparency on the contract, restoration of certification powers to LGAs and traditional rulers, and an audit of Qista’s engagement. It insisted that Lagos identity is a cultural legacy that must not be “commodified or outsourced,” describing the situation as a “cultural emergency” that should be reversed immediately.
