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.

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This was the central message at the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Edition of the NIQS Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted by the Lagos Chapter, with the theme: “Building a Resilient Lagos Megacity: The Role of Sustainable Infrastructure in Economic Growth.”

Delivering the keynote address, Olusegun Ajanlekoko, a past NIQS President and Managing Partner at CEP Limited, described the situation as dire, citing a continent-wide decline in infrastructure equity investment, which dropped from $2.3 billion in 2023 to $1.4 billion in 2024.

He highlighted that Africa, and Nigeria in particular, is contending with enormous infrastructure deficits—from power supply to digital connectivity—stressing that Nigeria alone faces a projected $3 trillion infrastructure financing gap over the next 30 years, requiring annual commitments of at least $150 billion to remain on course.

“The challenge isn’t just in building, but in sustaining infrastructure. Quantity surveyors are central to this process, ensuring every naira spent delivers value,” Ajanlekoko said.

Citing data from the Global Private Capital Association, he noted that infrastructure accounts for 42% of all private capital deployed in Africa since 2023, yet the scale of the deficit still dwarfs investment flows.

He further underscored the role of quantity surveyors in managing large-scale projects, noting their expertise in budgeting, cost control, contract administration, and ensuring financial accountability across multiple stakeholders.

“These projects are capital-intensive and high-risk. Quantity surveyors ensure cost-effectiveness, compliance, and sustainability through rigorous financial analysis and project monitoring,” he added.

Chairman of the NIQS Lagos Chapter, Rilwan Balogun, said the lecture series was an opportunity to underscore the profession’s strategic contribution to Lagos’ transformation into a megacity.

“The technical know-how and leadership within our profession are vital to delivering the kind of sustainable infrastructure that supports economic diversification and urban growth,” he said.

Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Engr. Dr. Adekunle Olayinka commended NIQS for 50 years of service, adding that the state remains committed to infrastructure-led development that aligns with long-term planning and smart city ambitions.

“Lagos continues to lead by example in urban infrastructure and we welcome partnerships that bring both innovation and transparency to the process,” Olayinka said.

The event drew senior members of the profession, including NIQS President Kene Nzekwe, former presidents, stakeholders from both public and private sectors, and infrastructure consultants. The institute reaffirmed its dedication to building capacity and driving sustainable economic growth through effective infrastructure delivery.

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Nearly two decades after Nigeria adopted the National Building Code (NBC), most of it remains ignored. The consequences are deadly buildings collapse regularly, lives are lost, and trust in the construction industry continues to fall.

The code, first approved in 2006 and revised in 2018, was meant to regulate how buildings are planned, built, and maintained. But many states have yet to pass the laws needed to enforce it. As a result, Nigeria’s construction sector runs mostly without rules.

No Rules, No Safety

Cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are growing fast. But without a standard code in place, they are filled with unsafe structures, poor materials, and developers who cut corners.

Experts say the lack of a national enforcement system allows bad practices to thrive. There are no clear guidelines for fire safety, structural strength, or energy efficiency. Many buildings go up without input from qualified professionals.

Investors and Professionals Losing Faith

This lawless environment is not only dangerous it’s also scaring off investors. Developers and insurers are avoiding projects in Nigeria because of the risks involved. Without regulation, no one can guarantee the safety of a building or the return on investment.

Even climate-friendly planning is suffering. The building code includes green building practices, but most developers ignore them. This makes it hard to attract funding for sustainable housing.

Quackery on the Rise

Without proper oversight, unqualified workers dominate the industry. Many developers hire people who are not trained architects or engineers. They often use poor materials and build without approved plans. This leads to weak structures and frequent disasters.

Professionals like architects, quantity surveyors, and engineers say the industry is under threat. Their roles are being sidelined by people who simply want to make a quick profit.

Collapse Statistics Are Alarming

From 1974 to 2025, Nigeria recorded 653 building collapses and over 1,600 deaths. Lagos alone accounts for more than half of these tragedies. For comparison, Kenya recorded just 86 collapses in 10 years and reduced the number sharply after enforcing reforms.

What Experts Are Saying

Obafemi Onashile   Quantity Surveyors Board

He believes the solution is to create a new national commission to regulate construction. He blames poor coordination and lack of oversight for building collapses, rising quackery, and the absence of foreign investment in the sector.

Mobolaji Adeniyi  Nigerian Institute of Architects

Adeniyi says many buildings are approved without input from qualified professionals. She notes common issues like substandard materials, weak foundations, and poor supervision. She calls for digital monitoring, public project registries, and stronger penalties for violators.

Dr. Victor Oyenuga  Structural Engineer

Oyenuga points to basic safety failures like lack of protective gear and poor staircase dimensions in public buildings. He argues that supervision by trained professionals is the only way to ensure safety. Money, he says, should never be placed above human life.

Dr. Jesse Nor  Town Planning Expert

Nor warns that without a legal framework, Nigeria’s building system is chaotic. He calls for stronger enforcement of urban plans and national standards. Without enforcement, he says, all development plans no matter how good will fail.

The Way Forward

Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the building code any longer. States must pass laws to enforce it. Regulatory bodies should be funded, trained, and empowered to act. Public education is also keympeople need to understand the risks of unsafe construction.

Without serious action, buildings will keep falling, lives will keep being lost, and Nigeria’s cities will keep growing in the wrong direction.

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The institute believes that by integrating more professionals in key roles, the commission can ensure that public infrastructure projects are executed transparently and with optimal value for money.

During a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, NIQS President Kene Nzekwe led discussions with Chairman Emeka Ezeh, emphasizing that quantity surveyors play a critical role in ensuring proper cost estimation, contract administration, and financial accountability in construction projects.

He pointed out that many government-funded projects face challenges such as inflated costs and delays due to a lack of proper financial oversight. By employing more quantity surveyors, the commission can prevent these issues, streamline procurement processes, and foster better financial planning in project execution.

Nzekwe further underscored the institute’s commitment to promoting best practices in cost management, ensuring that all public sector projects adhere to strict financial discipline.

He noted that NIQS members are equipped with the expertise needed to assess project feasibility, mitigate financial risks, and guide government agencies toward more sustainable infrastructure development.

He urged the commission to consider employing quantity surveyors as procurement and planning officers, given their unique skills in ensuring transparency and efficiency in public spending.

Responding to the proposal, Chairman Ezeh acknowledged the vital contributions of quantity surveyors to Nigeria’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

He provided insights into the commission’s operations, explaining that although the enabling Act establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission was signed into law in 2018, it only became fully functional under the present administration.

The commission currently oversees a workforce of approximately 32,000 employees, and recruitment is carried out based on declared vacancies from relevant government agencies.

Ezeh assured the NIQS delegation that their request would be given due consideration whenever opportunities arise. He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to hiring skilled professionals to improve project management efficiency, stressing that all recruitment processes would be conducted transparently and in line with government policies.

As Nigeria continues to expand its urban infrastructure, experts agree that strong cost management and effective procurement strategies will be key to ensuring sustainable development.

The NIQS remains optimistic that its advocacy will lead to an increased presence of quantity surveyors in the public sector, ultimately resulting in better project execution and greater accountability in government spending.

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