NIGERIA: Estate Surveyors and Valuers targets young talents to boost estate surveying profession in Kwara

By Balogun Arisekola Azeez, Ilorin Kwara State.

In a bids to strengthening the future of Nigeria’s real estate sector, the Young Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Kwara State have taken their career sensitisation campaign beyond universities to secondary schools, seeking to groom the next generation of professionals from an early stage.

The outreach held in Ilorin forms part of a nationwide drive to deepen awareness about estate surveying and valuation, a profession stakeholders say plays a critical role in economic planning, land administration and investment growth.

Speaking with The African Culture Television Correspondent in Ilorin the Kwara State Coordinator of the group, ESV Ibrahim Sani, said the initiative was designed to bridge the knowledge gap about the profession while positioning young Nigerians for opportunities in the expanding property market.

“It aligns with our membership drive. There is a need to sensitise the general public about our activities,” Sani said.

“We have been visiting tertiary institutions, but we are now extending the outreach to secondary schools. We need to catch them young. This is an initiative we are implementing in line with that objective.”

He noted that estate surveyors and valuers occupy a strategic position in Nigeria’s development architecture, particularly in states experiencing rapid urban growth such as Kwara.

According to him, professional advisory services in real estate investment have continued to attract both local and external investors into the state.

“We have contributed to the development of Kwara State in different ways. We advise investors on real estate investments, which contribute a significant portion to the state’s GDP. Many real estate investments attract investors from far and near, and this has helped Kwara grow tremendously,” he said.

Beyond investment advisory, Sani explained that the profession intersects with government operations and land administration systems.

“We render a wide range of services. We carry out valuations for the Bureau of Lands. Valuation is required for processing certain property documents.

“We also manage properties. The government engages us as consultants for various projects. We are involved in compensation and acquisition projects as well,” he added.

He stressed that mentoring young entrants into the profession was essential for maintaining standards and ensuring sustainability.

“We want to create an enabling platform for young professionals to thrive. We want to provide the right mentorship and guidance to help them succeed in their profession,” Sani said, noting that similar sensitisation programmes were ongoing across other states of the federation.

For her part the Vice Coordinator of the Kwara branch, ESV Olaniyi Kafilat Jumoke, said the engagement with students of Saint Barnabas Secondary School was deliberate, given the need to introduce career pathways early.

“The purpose of the outreach was to sensitise the students of Saint Barnabas Secondary School in Ilorin about our profession,” she said.

“We wanted to enlighten them on the requirements needed to pursue a career in this field in the future, as well as the benefits of the profession. It is a rewarding profession, and if embraced, it can shape their lives positively and contribute to societal development.”

Also speaking ESV Olatayo Alabi Adekeye, a fellow of the organisation, the campaign reflects a broader institutional effort to safeguard professional standards nationwide while strengthening state chapters such as Kwara’s.

“The activities of the organisation extend from the national level to the states, and what we are doing in Kwara is to reach out to younger students, particularly those in secondary schools, to help them gain a clearer understanding of the profession,” he said.

“Aside from carrying out our core professional responsibilities, including valuation and compensation, this sensitisation is very important to us.”

Adekeye, who recently retired from government service, said collaboration between practitioners and the Kwara State Government had enhanced professional practice, particularly within the Geographic Information System framework.

“By the grace of God, I recently retired from government service. Our professional practice outside government is supported by the authorities.

“You can see this support, especially at the GIS, where there is a directorate for Estate Surveyors and Valuers. We are experiencing cooperation and support from the Kwara State Government,” he said.

He, however, acknowledged the persistent challenge of quackery in the sector, describing it as a global issue requiring sustained advocacy and ethical discipline.

“That is not a new issue. It is a global challenge. It is not limited to this profession but cuts across various fields. In fact, that is one of the reasons for our sensitisation this morning,” he said.

“We have qualified and standard Estate Surveyors and Valuers. Those who patronise quacks do so for their own reasons, possibly because their services are cheaper.

“However, when it comes to professionalism, my clients are people who share the same orientation and value quality service,” he added.

Calling on practitioners to protect the integrity of the profession, Adekeye said, “As professionals, we have taken it upon ourselves to train our colleagues to understand their duties and perform their jobs properly.

“Members must avoid substandard practices that could undermine the integrity of the profession. We should be more committed to maintaining professional standards.”

The Head girl of St Barnabas secondary school, Abolarin Faith while responding said the programme broadened her understanding of the career path, noting that the sensitisation encouraged her to con

sider pursuing a future in estate surveying and valuation.