Expanding the Future of Real Estate: Young Estate Surveyors’ Outreach to Secondary Schools
Young Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Kwara State have taken a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s real estate sector by extending their career sensitisation campaign to secondary schools. This initiative aims to cultivate interest in the profession among young students, ensuring that future generations are well-equipped to meet the growing demands of the property market.
The outreach event, held in Ilorin on Friday, is part of a broader national effort to raise awareness about estate surveying and valuation. These professions play a crucial role in economic development, land administration, compensation processes, and property investment advisory. As urban expansion accelerates in Ilorin and other parts of Kwara State, the need for certified professionals has become more pressing than ever.
Bridging Knowledge Gaps and Creating Opportunities
ESV Ibrahim Sani, the Kwara State Coordinator of the group, emphasized the importance of this initiative in bridging knowledge gaps and preparing young Nigerians for opportunities within the expanding property market. “We have been visiting tertiary institutions, but we are now extending the outreach to secondary schools. We need to catch them young,” he said.
Sani highlighted that estate surveyors and valuers are central to Nigeria’s development architecture, particularly in states like Kwara, which are experiencing steady urban growth. He noted that the group has contributed to the state’s development through various means, including advising investors on real estate investments that significantly contribute to the state’s GDP.
According to Sani, professional advisory services in real estate have attracted both local and international investors, stimulating construction, land development, and housing projects. “Many real estate investments attract investors from far and near, and this has helped Kwara grow tremendously,” he added.
Supporting Government Operations and Ensuring Professional Standards
Beyond private investment advisory, Sani pointed out that estate surveyors play a vital role in government operations, especially in valuation and compensation processes. “We render a wide range of services. We carry out valuations for the Bureau of Lands. Valuation is required for processing certain property documents,” he explained.
He also mentioned that the group manages properties and serves as consultants for various government projects. “We are involved in compensation and acquisition projects as well,” Sani said.
Mentoring young entrants into the profession is essential for maintaining standards and ensuring sustainability. “We want to create an enabling platform for young professionals to thrive. We want to provide the right mentorship and guidance to help them succeed in their profession,” Sani maintained.
Addressing Quackery and Promoting Ethical Practices
Adekeye, a fellow of the organization, highlighted the persistent challenge of quackery in the real estate sector. “The activities of the organisation extend from the national level to the states, and what we are doing in Kwara is to reach out to younger students to help them gain a clearer understanding of the profession,” he said.
He acknowledged that unqualified practitioners continue to operate in the sector, often undercutting certified professionals. “Those who patronise quacks do so for their own reasons, possibly because their services are cheaper. However, when it comes to professionalism, my clients are people who value quality service,” Adekeye said.
Adekeye also emphasized the importance of ethical discipline among professionals. “As professionals, we have taken it upon ourselves to train our colleagues to understand their duties and perform their jobs properly. Members must avoid substandard practices that could undermine the integrity of the profession,” he stressed.
Strengthening Collaboration with the Government
Adekeye noted improved collaboration between estate surveyors and the Kwara State Government, particularly within the Geographic Information System (GIS) framework. “You can see this support, especially at the GIS, where there is a directorate for Estate Surveyors and Valuers. We are experiencing cooperation and support from the Kwara State Government,” he said.
He added that structured engagement between professionals and government agencies enhances transparency in land documentation and valuation processes.
Student Perspectives and Future Prospects
One of the participating students, Abolarin Faith, shared how the programme broadened her understanding of the career path and introduced her to opportunities she had not previously considered.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition that professional sustainability in Nigeria requires early mentorship, structured awareness, and sustained advocacy. With real estate contributing significantly to Nigeria’s non-oil GDP and urban expansion continuing across states, stakeholders believe that grooming the next generation of estate surveyors and valuers could prove critical to sustaining orderly land administration and responsible property investment.
