The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Kogi State Branch, has called on governments at all levels to involve registered estate surveyors and valuers from the earliest stages of project planning to mitigate delays, disputes, and cost overruns.
The Chairman of the NIESV Kogi State Branch, ESV John Oluwayinka Eniwaiye, made the appeal on Monday during a press briefing to flag off the 2026 Estate Valuers Week at the Confluence Motel Hall in Lokoja. Speaking on the theme “Governance in Value, Growth in Synergy,” Eniwaiye stated that the week-long event aims to reposition estate surveyors and valuers as crucial partners in driving sustainable development across Kogi State.
Eniwaiye emphasized that good governance must generate measurable value, which serves as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. He highlighted that Kogi State stands at a pivotal developmental juncture, characterized by extensive agricultural and industrial land resources, urban centers in need of renewal, and large-scale infrastructure projects requiring expert asset management, funding, and planning.
Stressing that government policies alone cannot guarantee development, the branch chairman noted that professionals are essential for bridging the gap between policy formulation and execution. He remarked that practice must align with policy, reiterating that registered valuers possess the requisite expertise in feasibility studies, data collection, valuation, and asset management to support government initiatives.
Outlining the itinerary for Estate Valuers Week, Eniwaiye announced public enlightenment campaigns, professional development sessions, and high-level stakeholder engagements. Planned activities include strategic visits on Tuesday to the Director-General of the Bureau of Lands and the Maigari of Lokoja, followed by a Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) session and an awards ceremony on Thursday. Religious and community engagements will feature a special Jumat prayer at the Government House Mosque on Friday, fitness activities and a novelty football match on Saturday, and a thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel on Sunday.
Addressing stakeholder responsibilities in land governance, Eniwaiye urged the government to go beyond mere project approvals by integrating professional valuers into project planning from inception to enhance transparency and public trust. He tasked practitioners with delivering data-backed advice on land use, taxation, acquisition, and feasibility, while advising developers and investors to adhere to approved plans and rely on professional valuations to minimize risk. He also called on traditional institutions to support land documentation and urged the public to view land not merely as inherited property, but as a viable asset for wealth creation.
A central highlight of the briefing was NIESV’s proposal for the creation of a Kogi State Development Advisory Forum on Land and Assets, along with a request for the inclusion of registered estate surveyors and valuers on the governing boards of all land-related ministries, departments, and agencies in the state. Eniwaiye explained that the proposed forum would convene quarterly, bringing together government officials, NIESV representatives, developers, and community leaders to review policies, align development projects with professional standards, and track execution for improved accountability.
Concluding his address, Eniwaiye reaffirmed that early professional engagement reduces waste and appealed to all stakeholders to collaborate with the institution to foster robust land governance. Recommitting NIESV members to the institution’s core mandate of honesty and devotion, he invited members of the press and the public to participate actively in the week’s proceedings.
