Dangiwa Highlights Quantity Surveyors’ Central Role in Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Housing and Infrastructure Agenda
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has underscored the critical role of quantity surveyors in advancing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme and key national infrastructure initiatives, stressing their importance in cost management, procurement transparency, and contract oversight.
Speaking at the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) conference, Dangiwa noted that the ministry’s Director of Public Buildings, a senior quantity surveyor, relies on precise project costing and transparent procurement processes to ensure the housing programme’s efficiency.
Quantity surveyors are also integral to the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, currently active in 150 locations nationwide, as well as to the National Land Title Registration initiative and the government’s plan to establish building-material manufacturing hubs across Nigeria.
Alignment With Government Priorities
Dangiwa emphasised that the Tinubu administration’s focus on transparency, accountability, efficient public spending, and quality infrastructure aligns closely with the professional standards upheld by quantity surveyors. He called for enhanced collaboration between government agencies and built-environment professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s infrastructure system in line with global best practices.
The minister acknowledged persistent challenges within Nigeria’s construction and infrastructure sectors, including project cost overruns, abandoned projects, procurement fraud, and weak monitoring and evaluation. Industry estimates suggest billions of naira are lost annually due to inflated contracts, poor cost control, and inconsistent project supervision.
Reforms to Strengthen Infrastructure Delivery
In response, the Federal Government has intensified fiscal and governance reforms aimed at tightening public expenditure, boosting non-oil revenue, reducing leakages, and attracting investment into critical infrastructure. Quantity surveyors tasked with cost estimation, contract management, value engineering, and procurement oversight are central to these reforms.
Dangiwa concluded that the NIQS conference presents a timely opportunity to mobilise built-environment professionals in support of Nigeria’s renewed infrastructure delivery framework.
Conclusion
As Nigeria advances its Renewed Hope Housing Programme and broader infrastructure agenda, the integration of quantity surveyors is essential for ensuring fiscal prudence, project efficiency, and sustainable development. Collaboration between the government and industry professionals will be key to achieving these strategic national objectives.
