𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 — 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐍𝐈𝐐𝐒

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, and the President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Kene Nzekwe, have emphasised that quantity surveyors are central to transparency, accountability and efficiency as Nigeria deepens fiscal and governance reforms.

Speaking at the NIQS conference on Thursday, Nzekwe said the meeting’s theme was timely, given Nigeria’s economic turbulence, infrastructure gaps and governance concerns.

He noted that the country was at a critical point where it must diversify its economy, strengthen infrastructure and improve governance systems.

According to him, effective project delivery is essential for transparency, accountability and value for money in public expenditure. He added that quantity surveyors’ skills remain vital in delivering quality infrastructure, driving economic growth and improving citizens’ living conditions.

Commending ongoing government reforms, Nzekwe praised President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for pursuing a cleaner tax system designed to boost revenue for infrastructure development. He described quantity surveyors as custodians of efficiency who ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.

Nzekwe further stated that the NIQS is implementing internal reforms to strengthen service delivery, stressing that Nigeria’s construction sector requires highly skilled, knowledge-driven professionals.

In his address, Minister Dangiwa said collaboration was essential to building a construction industry rooted in transparency, a housing system anchored on affordability and accountability, and an infrastructure ecosystem aligned with global standards.

He noted that Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal reforms and rising infrastructure needs have placed quantity surveyors at the heart of national development. According to him, Nigerians now demand stronger accountability and improved value for public funds—expectations the NIQS is strategically positioned to meet.

“You give structure to budgets, credibility to contracts and confidence to project delivery,” Dangiwa said.

He also highlighted the profession’s critical role in the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, stressing that the ministry’s public buildings department depends heavily on accurate costing, transparent procurement and strong contract management.

Dangiwa explained that quantity surveyors are equally instrumental to the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme—active in 150 locations—and the National Land Title Registration initiative. Their expertise, he added, is crucial to the government’s plan to establish building-material manufacturing hubs nationwide.

He stressed that the administration’s focus on transparency, accountability, efficient spending and high-quality infrastructure aligns closely with the core values of the quantity surveying profession.

Nigeria’s construction and infrastructure sectors have long battled issues such as cost overruns, abandoned projects, procurement abuses and weak monitoring systems. Industry data suggests that billions of naira are lost annually to inflated contracts, poor cost control and inconsistent project evaluation.