Quantity surveyors urge government to review housing policies, strengthen professional standards, and tackle corruption crippling Nigeria’s mortgage system….
The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has raised concerns that deep-rooted corruption within Nigeria’s housing and financial sectors is crippling the mortgage system and making homeownership increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos to commemorate the institute’s golden jubilee celebration, NIQS General Secretary, Azeez Ayodabo, called on the Federal Government to urgently review its housing and mortgage policies to make them more flexible and inclusive.
“The government should review its policies to make mortgage access more flexible,” Ayodabo said. “Thresholds should be adjusted according to income categories. People should be able to access mortgage loans based on what they earn.”
He criticised the existing system, which he said caters mainly to the affluent.
“It’s unrealistic for a level six or seven civil servant to afford a three-bedroom maisonette advertised under government schemes,” he noted. “Housing plans should be categorised bungalows, flats, terraces, and duplexes, so people can buy according to their means. That way, it becomes a win-win situation for everyone, not just the rich.”
Ayodabo also decried what he described as systemic corruption and abuse of access in the nation’s mortgage system.
He revealed that while the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria offers long-term loans of up to 30 years depending on income and age, the information is poorly disseminated, leaving many Nigerians unaware of available opportunities.
“Corruption has eaten deep into the mortgage system,” he said. “Many exploit government connections to access loans meant for the public. Between 2006 and 2009, developers who received housing loans were supposed to build three-bedroom bungalows for ₦7.5 million but diverted the funds and failed to deliver. Subscribers were already paying through mortgage deductions before the system collapsed.”
According to him, this led the government to halt the old developer-financing model and assume direct control of mortgage applications to curb abuse.
Quantity Surveyors Key to Accountability and Cost Control
Ayodabo further highlighted the crucial role of quantity surveyors in ensuring cost efficiency, accountability, and quality control in housing projects.
“One of the biggest mistakes today is engaging QSs only for part of a project,” he explained. “When they are excluded after preparing the Bill of Quantities, cost control is lost, and waste occurs. The QS ensures that contractors don’t substitute specified materials with lower grades and maintains project integrity through proper valuation and documentation.”
He urged both the government and the public to recognise and engage qualified quantity surveyors “in their rightful capacities” to ensure transparency and quality delivery.
QS Inclusion Crucial to Infrastructure and Economic Growth — NIQS
The Lagos Chapter Chairman, Rilwan Balogun, also emphasized the need for deeper integration of quantity surveyors in national infrastructure development, not just building projects.
“Too often, their expertise is confined to construction, whereas vast opportunities exist in civil engineering, oil and gas, and heavy infrastructure,” Balogun said. “By engaging QS consortiums, both government and private clients can achieve better value for money, promote transparency, and ensure economic efficiency.”
He argued that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda cannot succeed without the technical and financial discipline that QS consortiums bring.
“Projects like the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway controversy show why QSs must be involved from design to execution. Without them, inflated costs and lack of transparency are inevitable,” he added.
Balogun also urged regulatory authorities to mandate the submission of Bills of Quantities (BOQ) as part of building approval processes, explaining that this would help assess a developer’s financial capacity and reduce incidents of building collapse and abandoned projects.
Technology and Professional Encroachment
The Deputy Chairman of the chapter, Femi Falusi, warned that the rise of digital tools has encouraged non-professionals to encroach on the QS profession.
“With the accessibility of QS software, many non-quantity surveyors now attempt to prepare cost estimates and bills of quantities,” Falusi said. “This has intensified competition and reduced job opportunities for qualified professionals.”
To curb this, he said the NIQS is advocating for stronger policy frameworks, including a mandate that all cost estimates or BOQs submitted for building approvals must be prepared and stamped by registered quantity surveyors.
“Technology is here to stay,” he added. “We encourage our members to upskill and embrace innovation to remain relevant in this evolving industry.”
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