The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has called for enhanced advocacy and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to promote a resilient and sustainable built environment, particularly in addressing Nigeria’s widening housing deficit.
Speaking at the institute’s 6th National Executive Council and Chapter Chairmen Retreat, themed “From Intention to Structure, From Structure to Delivery,” NIQS President Aminu Bashir emphasised the importance of visionary leadership in driving effective housing solutions and institutional capacity in the built environment sector.
Bashir highlighted that purposeful leadership is key to translating strategy into tangible results that benefit members, the profession, and the public. He noted that projects to close the housing gap must integrate planning, regulation, and collaboration with state and federal authorities.
Delivering the keynote address, Waziri Adio, former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), urged NIQS to adopt a data-driven culture, describing it as essential for relevance, credibility, and sustainable decision-making. “In today’s world, data is power. Evidence-based advocacy ensures that interventions in housing and infrastructure are effective, targeted, and impactful,” he said.
Adio stressed that embracing Data-Driven Decision-Making (DDDM) allows professional bodies to validate strategies before implementation, create public value, and influence policies that strengthen urban planning and housing delivery. He called on NIQS to commission regular studies and deploy data to support practical solutions for urban challenges, including the Lagos housing deficit and other emerging urban centres.
The retreat also encouraged members to identify signature interventions that define their legacy, emphasising inclusive leadership, stakeholder engagement, and continuous consultation as tools for delivering sustainable housing and infrastructural outcomes.
Housing experts welcomed the move, noting that strengthening collaboration among developers, quantity surveyors, and government agencies can accelerate the delivery of quality housing while aligning with urban planning and environmental standards.
NIQS’s initiative aligns with broader efforts to leverage professional expertise, technology, and policy to reduce housing shortages, ensure safety in urban development, and create livable cities for Nigeria’s rapidly growing population.
