Surveyors Decry Insecurity, Lack of Recognition in Nigeria

Surveyors in Nigeria have identified inadequate land data, insecurity in the field, and poor public recognition as major challenges affecting the growth of the profession and national development.

President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Pius Eze, stated this in a message to mark the 2026 Global Surveyors’ Day.

Eze said this year’s theme: “Surveyors’ Challenges in Multi-Sectoral Growth,” highlights key limitations confronting practitioners, including lack of comprehensive land data, insufficient capacity in sustainability practices and limited integration across sectors.

According to him, these challenges have continued to hinder effective planning, decision-making, and sustainable development in the country.

“The multi-sectoral approach in our profession is the only way to guarantee robust practice and support national development,” he said.

Eze, however, noted that despite the challenges, surveyors remain committed to innovation and improved service delivery, urging professionals to continually upgrade their skills and adopt modern tools.

Also speaking, a fellow of the NIS, Charity Ola, highlighted the critical role of surveyors in national development, describing them as key contributors to infrastructure, land administration, and disaster management.

“Behind the roads and infrastructure you see are the hard work and labour of surveyors. Without surveyors, there will be no land titles and no land security,” she said.

Ola also pointed to security risks faced by practitioners, particularly during field operations.

“Surveyors face serious hazards. In some cases, they are attacked, stripped and their equipment taken. Yet, there is no adequate insurance to cover these risks,” she said.

She added that surveyors play vital roles in disaster mitigation, military operations and navigation systems, stressing that their contributions cut across multiple sectors.

On gender inclusion, Ola said women are increasingly making strides in the profession, noting that female surveyors undergo the same rigorous training and contribute significantly to the field.

She said the ‘Women in Surveying’ group under the NIS is promoting the profession among young students through career outreach programmes.

In his remarks, chairman of the NIS Federal Capital Territory branch, Yakubu Atanda, surveyors are contributing to national security and development through mapping and data generation.

Atanda called for cooperation from the public in land administration, warning that encroachment on designated lands slows down development projects.

He expressed optimism that ongoing mapping efforts would enhance planning and address many of the challenges facing the country.