An Estate Surveyor and Valuer ESV Joy Nnabuko has described the role
of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in pursuing sustainable housing delivery in Nigeria as critical.
She said Estate Surveyors and Valuers (ESVs) play a vital role in mitigating housing delivery and its challenging in Nigeria.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja, ESV Nnabuko noted the expertise of an Estate Surveyors and Valuer
is often underutilized.
She said Estate Surveyors have deep knowledge of valuation, cost planning, feasibility assessment, and project management positions them as key actors in ensuring transparent and efficient procurement.
She added that despite numerous housing policy reforms and interventions, the country continues to face a widening housing deficit.
Rapid urbanization, high construction costs, corruption and weak institutional capacity have made housing delivery a major development challenge.
She explained that right at the pre-contract stage, Estate Surveyors and valuers should assess project viability, prepare cost estimates, and advise clients on suitable procurement options. “During the contract execution, they help evaluate tenders, control costs, and ensure value for money. At project completion, ESVs evaluate actual costs, determine property values, and offer guidance on asset management and maintenance to sustain long-term viability”.
She said beyond individual projects, Estate Surveyors and Valuers contribute to evidence based policymaking through the provision of reliable market data and analysis of property trends.
“Strengthening their participation in public procurement and housing policy formulation can significantly enhance accountability, efficiency, and sustainability”.
She further stated that bureaucratic bottlenecks, limited professional recognition, and weak inter-agency coordination often limit their contribution.
She stated that government can make policy reforms that integrate Estate Surveyor and Valuer expertise more fully into project planning and this execution are necessary to improve outcomes.
She said for Nigeria to achieve a sustainability in the housing sector,it requires effective planning, good governance, and transparent procurement systems that guarantee value for money, quality performance, and timely completion.
“Procurement serves as the link between a client’s objectives and project outcomes. It covers planning, contracting, financing, and management of construction activities”.
She also added that to achieve sustainable housing delivery, Nigeria must adopt transparent, integrated, and technology-driven procurement systems. Institutional capacity should be strengthened through training, digital monitoring tools, and stricter enforcement of procurement laws. She said government should encourage the use of local materials, energy efficient designs, and innovative financing models will further support affordability and environmental responsibility.
Public-private partnerships, when properly managed, can also bridge funding gaps and enhance efficiency.
