Real estate professionals have called for stronger ethical standards, innovation, and collaboration to rebuild public trust and align Nigeria’s property market with global best practices.
Speaking at the 7th Summit of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos Branch, industry leaders stressed that professionalism must go hand in hand with integrity and innovation to drive growth in the sector.
The two-day event, themed “Building Trust and Driving Excellence in Real Estate Practice: Global Standards, Local Realities,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving real estate landscape.
Former NIESV president and chairman of the occasion, Emeka Eleh, noted that while bureaucratic bottlenecks and weak regulatory enforcement remain challenges, practitioners must uphold ethical values. “Clients expect us to honour our promises and commitments regardless of delays or red tape,” he said.
Lagos Branch Chairman, Tosin Kadiri, urged professionals to balance international best practices with Nigeria’s unique economic and institutional realities.
Delivering the keynote, Odunayo Ojo, CEO of UPDC, said the industry must evolve beyond traditional roles like valuation and property management. “Technology, private equity, sustainability, and data are reshaping global real estate. We either innovate or become obsolete,” he warned.
Ojo also called for continuous education, stronger ethics, and collaboration among professionals. “No one can do everything. Collaboration helps balance strengths and achieve better outcomes,” he added.
