The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, and the President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Kene Nzekwe, have reiterated the pivotal role of quantity surveyors in promoting transparency, accountability and efficiency as Nigeria intensifies fiscal and governance reforms.
Speaking at the NIQS conference on Thursday, Nzekwe said the theme of the meeting was timely, coming at a period when Nigeria faces economic turbulence, infrastructure deficits and governance challenges.
He said, “The country stands at a critical juncture, seeking to diversify its economy, improve infrastructure and enhance governance.
“Project delivery can promote transparency, accountability and value for money in public spending.
“Our skills can help deliver quality infrastructure, stimulate economic growth and improve living standards.”
Commending recent government reforms, Nzekwe added, “I would like to use this occasion to commend His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, and Senator Kashim Shettima for directing Nigeria towards a cleaner tax system which will generate more funds for infrastructure development.”
He described quantity surveyors as “custodians of efficiency who ensure that all types of construction projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards of quality.”
According to him, the NIQS is adopting new reforms to strengthen service delivery in the construction sector, noting that the industry requires knowledge-driven professionals equipped with high-level capability and efficiency.
Also addressing participants, Dangiwa said, “Together, we can strengthen a construction industry built on transparency, a housing system anchored in affordability and accountability, and an infrastructure landscape that meets global standards and Nigeria’s aspirations.”
He added that the ongoing fiscal reforms and growing infrastructure demands have placed quantity surveyors at the centre of national development.
“We are navigating a period of economic transition where fiscal reforms are accelerating. Infrastructure needs are also rising,” he said.
Dangiwa noted that public expectations for accountability are increasing.
“Nigerians expect stronger transparency and better value for public funds. Your Institute sits right at the centre of these expectations,” he said.
According to him, “You give structure to budgets, credibility to contracts and confidence to project delivery.”
He highlighted the critical role of the profession in the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, noting that the ministry’s director of public buildings, a seasoned quantity surveyor, relies on cost accuracy, procurement transparency and sound contract management to drive the initiative.
Dangiwa further explained that quantity surveyors are central to the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme—currently active in 150 locations—as well as the National Land Title Registration initiative.
He said their expertise is also vital to the government’s plan to establish building-material manufacturing hubs across the country.
“The administration’s focus on transparency, accountability, effective and efficient public spending and high-quality infrastructure delivery mirrors the core values of your profession,” he added.
The minister called for stronger collaboration to build an infrastructure system rooted in transparency and global best practices.
Nigeria’s construction and infrastructure sectors have long grappled with challenges such as cost overruns, abandoned projects, procurement fraud and weak monitoring systems.
Industry estimates indicate that billions of naira are lost annually to inflated contracts, poor cost control and inconsistent project evaluation.
In response, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strengthened fiscal and governance reforms aimed at tightening public expenditure, boosting non-oil revenue, curbing leakages and attracting investment into critical infrastructure.
Quantity surveyors—responsible for cost estimation, contract management, procurement oversight and value engineering—have increasingly become central to these reforms.
It is against this backdrop that the NIQS conference is being held, with a focus on how built-environment professionals can strengthen Nigeria’s infrastructure delivery systems.
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