The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, NIS have said that the dissolution of the Boards of all federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government owned companies in 2023 has significantly affected it’s regulatory body, the Surveyors Council of Nigeria,(SURCON), hindering it from performing its statutory functions.
The President, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Surv. Dr. Matthew Ibitoye made this known at the 59th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, with the theme: ” Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence In the New World: Innovations and Opportunities for Sustainable Development”.
Surv. Ibitoye said that nearly two years have passed and yet the Federal Government has not reconstituted the SURCON Council which prolonged delay has undoubtedly hampered the effective and smoot execution of its statutory responsibilities.
“We use this opportunity to appeal to all concern to take the issue of constituting SURCON Council as a matter of urgency and priority.
“Another pressing issue affecting our profession is the recent circular issued by the National Universities Commission (NUC), titled “Stoppage of Multiple Accreditation of Academic Programmes by Professional Bodies in Nigeria Universities” (Ref:NUC/ES/138/Vol.65/202, dated 20th May 2025). While we appreciate the NUC’s intention to streamline accreditation processes and reduce administrative burdens on universities, the exclusion of the Surveyors
Council of Nigeria (SURCON) from the list of professional regulatory bodies permitted to continue their oversight is misguided, unjust, and inconsistent with existing law.
Let me state unequivocally that SURCON was established by an Act of the National Assembly (No. S 18, LFN 2004). Ibitoye stated.
Ibitoye said that to determine what standards of knowledge and skill are to be attained by persons seeking to become registered members of the profession and to raise those standards from time to time as circumstances may permit, this statutory mandate directly pertains to the professional competence of Surveying and Geo-informatics graduates.
“No circular or administrative directive can override a legislative instrument. SURCON’s mandate remains valid until amended or repealed by the National Assembly. We therefore call on all relevant authorities to respect the law and uphold the integrity of our profession for the sake of our future professionals”. Ibitoye said.
He however thanked the government and people of Enugu State for the warm welcome.
“Your Excellency, we are impressed by your administration’s transformative efforts in repositioning Enugu State as a hub of investment and tourism through strategic physical development and land administration reforms. Projects such as this magnificent International Conference Centre, the New Enugu City initiative, and the revitalization of the state’s water supply schemes are commendable. Of particular significance to us as surveyors is the establishment of the Enugu State Geographic Information Service (ESGIS) and the procurement of modern geospatial data technologies in the Office of the Surveyor-General. These investments will no doubt enhance the efficiency of land administration and development planning in the state”. Ibitoye concluded.
Also in an address, the Chairman, Enugu State branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Surv. Emmanuel Nnamani noted that Enugu is a cradle to many prominent Surveyors in Nigeria today.
According to Nnamani, “In 1956, the Nigerian College of Technology at Enugu started a four-year programme in surveying. The College prepared students for the “First” and “Intermediate” examinations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
“In 1962, the College became part of the University of Nigeria. The first set of five graduates in Surveying trained in Nigeria was produced here in Enugu in 1966. Ever since, many surveyors have traced their cradle to this ever-peaceful city of Enugu”. Nnamani noted.
He said that the Institution have continued to play a second fiddle until it changed its name in 1966 to “The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors.
“This name turned it from being a mere “Association” to become an “INSTITUTION”indeed.
“It has continued to soar higher and higher to become an envy to many Professional Bodies in Nigeria. It is interesting to note that Enugu is the birth place of this new giant, “The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors”. Nnamani stated.
He however, told the gathering that the government and people of Nigeria are looking up to professionals to come up with solutions to the myriads of problems facing the society today.
“I have no doubt that at the end of this Conference, solutions to these challenges will emerge, awaiting implementation”.He concluded.
Oyenike Oyeniyi