Valuers Urge FG to Ease Land Access, Expand Infrastructure to Cut Housing Deficit

Estate surveyors and valuers have called on the Federal Government to make land more accessible and increase infrastructure development as part of measures to address Nigeria’s housing deficit, which they estimate at more than 21 million units.

The professionals also urged increased investment in housing, particularly for low- and middle-income earners, while stressing the importance of reliable national data for property valuation, infrastructure planning and broader economic development.

The calls were made on Thursday at the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria Valuers Assembly in Abuja, where professionals discussed challenges affecting the housing sector and the contribution of estate surveyors and valuers to national development.

The President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Bature Muhammad, said greater access to land would enable more Nigerians to develop their own homes rather than depend entirely on government-built housing.

Muhammad said the government could also adopt site-and-services schemes by opening up land, providing basic infrastructure such as roads, demarcating plots and making the serviced plots available to individuals for construction.

He added that government should continue to build housing units to complement efforts by individuals and private developers.

“The issue of housing deficit in Nigeria has been a recurring decimal. Each year, 2 million, 20 million, 30 million,” Muhammad said, while outlining the measures he believed could help address the problem.

He said increasing access to land should be one of the priorities.

“Government can equally enter into the issue of site and services scheme, where government opens up land, constructs roads and demarcates those plots, and gives it to people to construct. Another issue is for government to build more housing,” he said.

Muhammad also acknowledged the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, noting that housing construction had commenced in several states under the programme.

He said continued implementation of the scheme could contribute to reducing the housing deficit.

“We’re happy that the current administration, through its Renewed Hope housing scheme, has started that line of action, building 200, 300, 1,000 in so many states of the federation. So, if that will continue, that will go a long way in alleviating the housing deficit that we are currently facing in the country,” he said.

Professionals identify policy, economic and data challenges

Muhammad identified government policies, economic conditions and inadequate data as some of the factors affecting the housing sector.

He said better data was particularly important because property valuation and decisions on national assets require accurate and comprehensive information.

“The basic issue is government policies sometimes, and the economic factors of the country. Another issue is data. Data assemblage,” he said.

According to him, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, working with the relevant board, was exploring ways to develop reliable data that could be used for valuation and other national purposes.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to establish a consolidated national database that could support government planning, infrastructure development and valuation activities.

“It is high time for us in Nigeria to have consolidated data for everything that we need to do, which will equally assist the government in planning so many things. Even this infrastructure that we are doing, it needs data,” Muhammad said.

He also pointed to the need for government to continue opening up new areas for development and making land available to people.

Muhammad said access to land remained difficult for many Nigerians and urged government to reduce the obstacles involved in acquiring land.

He said more Nigerians would be able to construct homes if they could obtain land more easily, while government could concentrate on expanding medium- and low-income housing.

“The future is always very bright for the ordinary Nigerian. If you look at it now, in Abuja, so many areas, so many frontiers are being opened. We, the professionals, advise the government to make land available. To ease access to land for so many people to get,” he said.

He added that while government continues working to improve access to land, it should also sustain the construction of affordable housing.

“To see that there is still land and people get access to land. Because when more people get access to land, they can go and build rather than waiting for the government. So, while the people are having access to land, the government should continue to build medium- and low-income housing,” he said.

Surveyors seek massive infrastructure investment

The Acting Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Aminu Waziri, called for increased infrastructure development, particularly in satellite communities around major cities.

Waziri said the housing deficit and weaknesses in asset valuation had significant implications for the Nigerian economy.

“When you look at the housing deficit alone, that is over 21 million or thereabouts, and other components of it, but when you look at the total of the loss in terms of non-application of the proper asset valuation in our national economy, the sum is really much, but it runs up to about 30 trillion,” he said.

He said large-scale infrastructure development would make satellite communities more attractive to developers and encourage both public and private investment in housing.

“To reduce the deficit, there has to be massive infrastructural development, especially within the satellite areas of our major cities, because that’s where most of this impact is felt,” Waziri said.

He explained that better infrastructure would create conditions for housing developers to expand their activities.

“When you have a lot of infrastructural development, both public and private housing developers will come in to provide the necessary housing infrastructure, and this will help us greatly in bridging the housing deficit,” he added.

Valuers seek stronger professional training

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Education Committee of the Estate Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria and Board Member of the International Valuation Standards Council, Uche Egwuatu, called for greater investment in training and capacity building for estate surveyors and valuers.

Egwuatu said the global nature of the profession meant that Nigerian practitioners needed to broaden their knowledge and remain familiar with developments in international valuation practice.

“The world is a global village and that doesn’t exclude Estate Surveying and Valuation practice. And as Estate Surveyors and Valuers, we need to enlarge our scope in terms of our training, capacity building and being part of what is happening globally,” she said.

She said the Estate Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria was creating opportunities for professionals to participate in international valuation standard-setting processes.

According to her, the board’s membership of the international valuation body helps Nigerian practitioners remain connected to global developments in the profession.

Egwuatu also noted that international valuation standards had been incorporated into Nigeria’s Green Book, helping to align local valuation practices with international standards.

She urged individual valuers to take advantage of professional development opportunities, including events such as the Valuers Assembly, to improve their knowledge and keep pace with developments affecting the industry.

Board reviews valuation education

Egwuatu further disclosed that the board was working to improve valuation education in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

She said the board regulates estate management education in academic institutions through accreditation visits aimed at ensuring that courses and training reflect current industry requirements.

She stressed that students being prepared for careers in valuation needed to acquire knowledge that would enable them to respond to practical valuation challenges in society.

“The board has started trying to unbundle the valuation education because the board also regulates estate management education in the academic institutions through its accreditation visitations to be sure that what is being taught in the academic institutions complies with or reflects what is happening in the industry,” she said.

Egwuatu added that the goal was to ensure that future valuers were properly equipped with current knowledge and professional skills needed to address valuation problems and contribute effectively to the property sector.

The professionals’ recommendations come as Nigeria continues to face a substantial housing shortage, with improved land access, infrastructure provision, housing investment and reliable property data identified as key areas requiring attention.

The post FG Should Make Land More Accessible to Nigerians, Valuers Say appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria has reinforced its stance on professional ethics, warning that strict disciplinary measures will be applied to practitioners whose actions undermine public trust in the real estate sector.

Speaking during the board’s 50th anniversary celebration, Acting Chairman, Terzungwe Dugeri, emphasised a zero-tolerance policy for unethical conduct, stressing that safeguarding integrity remains central to the profession’s credibility.

The event, which also featured the induction of 420 new estate surveyors and valuers, marked a milestone in the board’s history since its establishment in 1975. Dugeri noted that the latest intake brings the number of registered professionals to 7,954 but warned that the sector still faces a manpower gap relative to Nigeria’s expanding property market.

He urged newly inducted members to uphold professional standards and adapt to emerging trends, particularly the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence in real estate practice.

According to him, clients are becoming increasingly tech-driven, and failure to meet evolving expectations could erode confidence in professional services.

In a keynote address, former ESVARBON chairman, Nweke Umezuruike, reviewed the board’s performance over the past five decades, acknowledging progress while pointing to lingering structural challenges.

He commended efforts to promote indigenous valuation standards and collaboration with the National Universities Commission in standardising estate management education. He also highlighted partnerships with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in conducting professional examinations.

However, Umezuruike raised concerns over gaps in institutional record-keeping, recurring leadership conflicts, weak enforcement of disciplinary measures, and funding limitations largely dependent on practitioners’ contributions.

He called for reforms, including improved leadership structures, expanded academic programmes, and increased financial support from key users of valuation services such as financial institutions, the judiciary, and anti-corruption agencies.

Also addressing the inductees, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NIESV, Austin Otegbulu, stressed the importance of diligence and accountability in professional practice.

He warned that negligence could expose practitioners to legal liabilities, urging them to prioritise accuracy and ethical conduct in valuation work.

Otegbulu further noted that the profession is evolving toward data-driven analysis, sustainability, and environmental valuation, adding that only practitioners grounded in competence and integrity will remain relevant.

As the sector continues to expand, stakeholders say strengthening ethical compliance and professional standards will be critical to sustaining trust and driving growth in Nigeria’s real estate industry.

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The Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) has said that Nigeria can significantly reduce insecurity if government and stakeholders adopt smarter, technology-driven land management systems nationwide.

Speaking at the board’s 2025 Annual Valuers Assembly in Lagos with the theme, “50 Years of Regulatory Excellence: Golden Legacies and Brighter Tomorrow,” former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), said that poor planning, unchecked slum expansion, and weak land administration have contributed to urban crime and instability.

Buratai noted that many Nigerian cities are still characterised by unplanned settlements that lack roads, drainage systems, recreational spaces, schools, and essential public infrastructure—conditions that fuel insecurity.

He said liveable, organised urban environments naturally deter criminal activities because they promote healthier living conditions and stronger community structures.

According to him, estate surveyors and valuers are central to tackling the problem because they help governments and communities design, regulate, and maintain orderly land-use systems.

“Government cannot deliver safe and liveable cities without the input of estate surveyors and valuers. When communities are properly laid out—with roads, pavements, schools, markets, hospitals, recreation centres—people live better and crime reduces,” he said.

The Acting Chairman of ESVARBON, Prof. Terzungwe Dugeri, said that regulating the profession has become even more critical in a globalised, tech-driven world.

He warned that as the economy transforms, surveyors are frequently pressured to compromise standards, making ethical regulation essential.

He stressed that the board is adopting digital tools, virtual platforms, and modern technologies to strengthen monitoring, registration, and quality control.

“Technology has changed our practice. We must embrace it while upholding the highest ethical standards. All eyes are on estate surveyors and valuers,” he said.

Also speaking, the Registrar of ESVARBON, Janet Shehu, emphasised that practitioners must fully embrace digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, to remain relevant and deliver accurate, transparent services.
She said the board expects strict adherence to ethical codes as it works to modernise the profession and support national development.

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The numbers don’t add up—there are plenty of empty houses, yet millions remain without adequate housing. So, what’s fueling this crisis?

Despite a recent dip in inflation, the cost of property remains stubbornly high. The National Bureau of Statistics reported a decline in Nigeria’s inflation rate to 23.18% in February 2025, down from 24.48% in January. The Central Bank of Nigeria also maintained its Monetary Policy Rate at 27.50%, expecting inflation to ease further. But none of this has translated into lower home prices or cheaper rent. The real estate market seems immune to these economic shifts, and the reasons are as complex as they are frustrating.

Supply and Demand Imbalance

Nigeria faces a massive housing deficit, yet properties especially in highbrow areas are priced far beyond what the average Nigerian can afford. In Lagos, for example, real estate in locations like Banana Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lekki is overpriced. This is due to limited land, soaring construction costs, and speculative investment. A similar trend is visible in cities like Accra, Dubai, Nairobi, and Johannesburg.

Rising Costs of Building Materials

Another major issue is the high cost of building materials. Nigeria imports a significant portion of its construction supplies, making home prices vulnerable to currency fluctuations and global market shifts. The rising costs of cement, roofing sheets, and finishing materials have pushed property prices even higher.

Bureaucratic bottlenecks also play a role. Expensive building approvals, high taxes, and lengthy land registration processes add to the overall cost of homeownership.

The Impact of Speculative Investment

Speculative investment is making matters worse. Wealthy investors and developers hoard land and properties, waiting for prices to rise before reselling at exorbitant rates. This artificially inflates market prices, making it even harder for middle-class and low-income buyers to enter the market.

Many of these properties remain vacant for months or even years because they are priced well above what buyers are willing to pay.

Experts Sound the Alarm

Industry experts warn that the current trajectory is unsustainable. A significant number of properties in major cities have remained unsold for over six months simply because their prices are unrealistic.

Stephen Jagun, Chairman of the Professional Practice Committee at ESVARBON, attributes the crisis to land scarcity, foreign investor interest, and lack of infrastructure. He believes a shift in focus is needed. Investors should explore emerging areas where land is still relatively affordable instead of concentrating on already overpriced locations.

The Role of Government and Developers

Jagun urges developers to embrace cost-effective building materials and sustainable construction techniques. Meanwhile, the government must implement land reforms, streamline housing policies, and invest in infrastructure to open up new areas for development.

Olufemi Oyedele, a real estate expert, highlights that overpriced real estate reflects deeper economic issues. He notes that:

• Over 100 million Nigerians live in inadequate housing.

• Millions of properties sit vacant because they are too expensive.

• The Housing Affordability Index shows a one-bedroom flat costs:

  • ₦17.5 million in Ikeja

  • ₦6.5 million in Abeokuta

  • ₦13.5 million in Abuja

Developers, he argues, must align their projects with the financial realities of the population.

Stronger Regulations Needed

Oyedele also believes stronger government intervention is necessary. He suggests:

• No one should start construction without securing financing from a mortgage bank.

• Laws should regulate abandoned properties.

• The government must increase social housing supply for low-income earners.

Kunle Awolaja, President of the African Real Estate Society, agrees. He points out that housing prices in Nigeria don’t match income levels, making homeownership difficult. He urges investors to:

• Consider alternative construction methods.

• Use financing models like cooperative housing schemes.

The Path Forward

The solution lies in a mix of government action, industry reform, and smarter investment strategies. The government must:

• Regulate speculative buying.

• Provide incentives for affordable housing.

• Invest in infrastructure projects to ease the pressure on prime locations.

• Expand road networks, water supply, and electricity to make more areas livable.

If these issues remain unaddressed, the housing crisis will only worsen. The gap between supply and affordability will continue to grow, locking millions out of homeownership.

However, if pricing is regulated, policies are enforced, and affordability becomes a priority, Nigeria’s real estate market can finally become accessible to those who need it most.

The post The Real Estate Price Trap: Why Homes in Lagos and Other Cities Remain Out of Reach appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Speaking at the 48th induction ceremony in Abuja, ESVARBON Chairman, ESV Asiwaju Dosu Fatokun, emphasized the need for continuous learning and ethical standards in the profession.

“This marks a significant milestone for 700 estate surveyors who have worked tirelessly to attain recognition as registered professionals,” he said.

Fatokun stressed the importance of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme, urging inductees to stay updated on industry trends.

“As professionals, maintaining integrity, diligence, and professionalism is essential for personal growth and the credibility of our profession,” he added.

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