An Estate Surveyor and Valuer ESV Udoumoh Edeabasi said that Not adequately involving Estate Surveyors and Valuer in a public building management has disadvantages .
He said this has also led to a decline in infrastructural quality in the country.
ESV. Edeabasi stated this yesterday in Abuja .
He emphasized that in Nigeria, the inadequate involvement of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the management of public buildings has led to visible neglect, waste of resources.
He noted the disadvantages of excluding these professionals from the management of public assets.
“Let use Nigerian public buildings as a case study. It shows that the integration of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is indispensable to achieving efficient, safe, and economically sustainable building management in the public sector”.
He said the
Public buildings are vital national assets designed to support governance, social welfare, and economic development.
“Their effective management ensures sustainability, functionality, and long-term value.”
The Estate Surveyor listed some public buildings management such as
Public buildings: including government offices, schools, hospitals, courts, and housing estates, form an essential part of a nation’s physical and administrative infrastructure.
He disclosed that in Nigeria, these buildings are often poorly maintained, abandoned, or underutilized. This challenge largely stems from the limited involvement of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, professionals trained to manage, value, and optimize real estate assets.
“The Estate Surveyors and Valuers play a vital role in ensuring that properties remain functional, secure, and productive throughout their life cycle. When their expertise is overlooked, the outcome is predictable: mismanagement, economic loss, and deteriorating infrastructure”.
The Role of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Public Building Management.
Estate Surveyors and Valuers are responsible for
Conducting periodic valuations of buildings to determine their true economic worth.
Managing maintenance schedules to prolong asset lifespan.
Preparing and maintaining property registers for accurate asset documentation.
Advising government agencies on cost-effective property use and redevelopment.
“Ensuring compliance with building safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
Their inclusion ensures that public buildings remain sustainable and continue to serve their intended purposes efficiently”.
Disadvantages of Limited Involvement in Nigeria’s Public Buildings.
Rapid Deterioration and Neglect of Assets.
Across Nigeria, many public buildings are in deplorable condition due to poor maintenance practices. Ministries, schools, and hospitals often suffer structural decay because Estate Surveyors and Valuers — who would normally implement preventive maintenance strategies — are excluded from their management.
Financial Waste and Economic Losses.
Inadequate professional oversight has resulted in billions of naira wasted annually on avoidable repairs and reconstruction. Without proper valuation and management, budgets are often inflated or misapplied, and many public buildings are abandoned shortly after completion.
Inaccurate Asset Records.
Most government agencies lack reliable data on their property holdings. The absence of Estate Surveyors and Valuers leads to missing asset registers, unverified valuations, and undocumented properties making it difficult for the government to plan, allocate, or even protect its assets effectively.
Underutilization of Public Properties.
Numerous government buildings in Nigeria lie vacant or underused. With professional estate management, these properties could generate revenue through leasing or adaptive reuse.
For instance, idle office spaces could be repurposed for commercial or institutional purposes, creating income and reducing maintenance burdens.
Poor Service Delivery and Safety Risks.
Buildings not managed by professionals often fail to meet safety standards. Cases of roof collapse, fire hazards, and inadequate sanitary conditions are common in public facilities.
Such failures compromise the safety of occupants and hinder efficient public service delivery.
Case Study: Nige rian Public Buildings.
A review of several federal and state-owned properties reveals alarming trends:
Federal Secretariat Complexes in various states show visible signs of neglect, with leaking roofs, broken fittings, and poor sanitation.
Public hospitals and educational facilities frequently operate in deteriorating conditions due to poor maintenance funding and absence of structured property management systems.Government residential estates, once vibrant, have declined due to mismanagement and lack of periodic valuation to assess current needs.
These examples underscore how the absence of Estate Surveyors and Valuers has directly affected functionality, safety, and the economic value of national assets.
He also recommended that government should
Institutionalize the Role of Estate Surveyors and Valuers:
Government ministries and parastatals should formally engage registered professionals for all property management functions.
Create a Central Property Database:
Estate Valuers should develop and maintain an updated national register of public assets for transparency and planning.
Implement Preventive Maintenance Systems: Routine inspections and maintenance plans supervised by Surveyors will prevent large-scale deterioration.
Promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):
Valuers can guide the leasing and redevelopment of idle government buildings for revenue generation.
Enforce Legal and Policy Frameworks: Strengthening existing property management policies will ensure compliance and accountability.
He concluded that
a nation that neglects the expertise of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in managing its public buildings risks losing not just money but the structural integrity and functionality of its public assets.
He stressed that the Nigerian experience clearly shows the negative consequences of professional exclusion from wasted investments to unsafe buildings and poor service delivery.
He maintained that to move forward, Nigeria must embrace the indispensable role of Estate Surveyors and Valuers as custodians of national real estate wealth.
“ Their involvement is not optional; it is a necessity for sustainable national development and the preservation of public infrastructure for future generations” ESV Edeabasi added .
