Olusegun Adeyemo
The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Oyo State Chapter, QS Kayode Kolawole Oluwade, has identified quackery and negligence as major factors contributing to the rising cases of building collapse in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with The Journal Nigeria, Oluwade, who has over 31 years of professional experience, stressed that construction is a teamwork process that requires the collaboration of qualified professionals such as architects, structural engineers, builders, and quantity surveyors. According to him, when unqualified individuals take on specialised roles, the risk of structural failure increases significantly.
“Collapses often occur due to the activities of quacks, negligence by designers, inadequate supervision, or failure on the part of approving authorities. The use of substandard materials and intra-professional malpractice, such as structural designs not handled by registered engineers, also contribute to the menace. For any building to stand, every professional involved must be qualified, registered, and diligent in their duties,” he explained.
Oluwade further distinguished the role of quantity surveyors from other survey-related professions, noting that many Nigerians still confuse them with land surveyors or estate valuers. He explained that while land surveyors focus on defining land boundaries and estate valuers manage property transactions, quantity surveyors are cost managers who estimate, monitor, and control expenses in construction projects.
“As the Bible says in Luke 14:28, ‘Who among you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?’ That is exactly our role. We ensure projects are completed within budget and on schedule, whether in buildings, railways, airports, or refineries,” he said.
The Oyo NIQS chairman emphasized that quantity surveyors are indispensable to both government and private sector projects. In Oyo State, for instance, NIQS members support government agencies in assessing project proposals to guarantee value for money before approvals are granted.
While appreciating Governor Seyi Makinde for recently employing quantity surveyors into the Ministry of Public Works, Oluwade appealed for similar recruitment at the local government level. “If at least one registered quantity surveyor is engaged in each local government council, it will go a long way in strengthening project execution, ensuring transparency, and curbing quackery,” he stated.
He also called on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to consider quantity surveying as a career path, describing it as a profession with vast opportunities across academia, government ministries, construction firms, real estate, mortgage and insurance companies, oil and gas, and manufacturing industries.
“Many students stumble into the profession by accident, but it offers immense prospects. The basic requirement is a science background with subjects like Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, and Economics. We must begin to guide our children into professions that not only guarantee employment but also contribute to nation-building,” he advised.
On regulation, Oluwade explained that the NIQS, alongside the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), provides oversight to ensure only licensed professionals practice. He added that registered surveyors can be easily verified through the QSRBN website, which helps in exposing quacks.
Reiterating his call, Oluwade urged all levels of government to prioritize the engagement of qualified quantity surveyors in all public projects, warning that neglecting professional input will only perpetuate the cycle of building failures.