By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
An Estate Surveyor and Valuer, ESV. Hajiya (Mrs) Umoru Salamat, has said Estate Surveyors and Valuers have a key role to play in Information Technology (IT) management as the real estate sector embraces digital transformation.
Salamat stated this yesterday in Abuja, stressing that technology had become indispensable to modern estate surveying and valuation practice.
She said the profession had moved beyond traditional property valuation, estate agency, property management and facility management into an increasingly digital environment.
According to her, practitioners must combine professional knowledge with technological skills to improve efficiency, transparency, accuracy and service delivery.
“For Estate Surveyors and Valuers, effective IT management has become a critical component of professional practice, enabling practitioners to make informed decisions, improve client satisfaction and remain competitive in an evolving real estate market,” she said.
Salamat identified property data management as a major area transformed by technology. She said Estate Surveyors rely on accurate information about property ownership, market trends, rental values, comparable sales, land records and investment performance.
Modern database systems and cloud-based platforms, she added, provide secure storage, quick retrieval and efficient management of property information, thereby improving decision-making and reducing the risks associated with outdated records.
She said digital valuation software, automated data analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and computer-assisted valuation models had improved the speed and consistency of valuation exercises.
“While professional judgment remains irreplaceable, technology enhances analytical capabilities and supports evidence-based valuations that meet international standards,” she said.
She described GIS as indispensable for location analysis, urban planning, land administration and investment appraisal. The technology, she explained, enables practitioners to analyse spatial data, assess accessibility and environmental risks, identify development patterns and determine the highest and best use of land.
She also identified Building Information Modelling (BIM) as an important tool in property and facility management. BIM integrates architectural, engineering and operational information into a digital model, helping professionals monitor maintenance, manage assets, forecast replacement costs and improve building efficiency.
According to her, cloud computing has further enabled remote access to valuation reports, lease agreements, property photographs and client records.
“Teams working from different locations can collaborate seamlessly while ensuring business continuity and data security,” she said.
She added that digital communication platforms, video conferencing, virtual inspections, virtual tours, customer relationship management systems and social media had improved client relations and property marketing.
Technology, she said, also supports property managers in monitoring rental income, service charges, maintenance requests, tenant communication, lease renewals and financial reporting. Real-time information improves accountability and enables faster decisions.
Salamat further noted that analytical tools, Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics were helping Estate Surveyors assess investment risks, forecast market trends, conduct financial modelling and identify emerging opportunities.
However, she stressed that cybersecurity was essential because practitioners handle confidential client information, financial records, valuation reports, legal documents and personal data.
She called for secure networks, data encryption, multi-factor authentication, regular software updates and staff training to protect sensitive information and maintain public confidence.
Salamat identified inadequate digital infrastructure, high software costs, limited technical training, cybersecurity threats, resistance to change, unreliable electricity and poor internet connectivity as major barriers to digital adoption.
To address these challenges, she called for collaboration among professional bodies, educational institutions, government agencies and private organisations.
She urged that Continuous Professional Development programmes and university curricula include data analytics, GIS, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing and digital property management.
She also called on government to digitise land administration, improve access to reliable property data, strengthen legal frameworks for electronic transactions and invest in ICT infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Salamat said Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, drone technology, remote sensing, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart buildings and digital twins would increasingly shape the profession.
She urged Estate Surveyors and Valuers to embrace innovation and continuously upgrade their skills while maintaining high standards of integrity, competence and professionalism.
She concluded that IT management was no longer optional in Estate Surveying and Valuation but an essential driver of professional excellence, improved productivity, transparency, sound decision-making, secure information management and sustainable property development.
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