The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has emphasized the need for enhanced advocacy and strategic collaboration among stakeholders to promote a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable built environment in Nigeria.
Aminu Bashir, President of NIQS, made the call during the institute’s 6th National Executive Council and Chapter Chairmen Retreat in Abuja, themed “From Intention to Structure, From Structure to Delivery.” He noted that the retreat forms part of NIQS’s broader commitment to strengthening professionalism, institutional capacity, and leadership effectiveness.
Bashir stressed that visionary and purposeful leadership is essential for advancing both the institute and the quantity surveying profession. The retreat aimed to equip newly elected council members with strategic skills to effectively deliver on the institute’s mandate.
Delivering the keynote address, former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio, urged NIQS to embrace data-driven decision-making. Speaking on “Leadership and Relevance in the Data Age,” Adio highlighted that professional bodies must leverage data and evidence to set priorities, shape policies, and engage stakeholders.
“Data is power—it is the new gold. Relying solely on instinct, authority, or experience is no longer sufficient for effective leadership,” Adio said. He recommended the adoption of Data-Driven Decision-Making (DDDM) to validate decisions and enhance organisational credibility.
Drawing from his NEITI experience, Adio cited how empirical data analysis contributed to legislative reforms and informed policy debates, including VAT revenue sharing. He urged NIQS to commission regular studies to strengthen its authority, thought leadership, and impact within the construction and built environment sector.
Adio also highlighted the importance of prioritization, advising the NIQS leadership to focus on a “signature intervention” that defines its legacy. Inclusive consultation with members and stakeholders, he noted, builds trust, ownership, and long-term sustainability.
He cautioned against misusing data, emphasizing ethical standards, robust methodology, and quality information. “Good data enhances credibility; dodgy data undermines it,” he said. He encouraged NIQS to invest in data literacy and cultivate a culture of evidence-based decision-making to maintain relevance and effectiveness in Nigeria’s construction industry.
