The Lagos branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) recently held a significant Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) training session on October 17, 2024, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Victoria Island, Lagos. This certified training, awarding 3 points to participants, brought together professionals under the umbrella of NIESV in Lagos state, focusing on the integration of technology into the practice of estate surveying.
ESV. Godspower Omosuzi, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, spoke with CityPeople about what made this year’s MCPD event unique. He emphasized the need for estate surveyors to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, underscoring the importance of embracing new technologies to remain relevant in the profession. Below are excerpts from the interview.
What is your assessment of today’s training?
By the grace of God, today’s event was a great success. We truly appreciate all the professionals who attended this MCPD. Their presence is a testament to the willingness within our community to embrace change, especially through technology. The turnout and engagement show that people are ready to leverage technology in their practice, which is critical as the world transitions into a new digital era.
This year’s MCPD seems unique, especially with its focus on technology. Could you explain the reason behind choosing this theme?
The decision to focus on technology in this year’s MCPD is driven by the realization that the world is evolving, and technology is reshaping every aspect of life, including real estate. For us to stay relevant and competitive, we need to equip our members with the skills and knowledge to keep pace with these changes.
The reality is that anyone not embracing technology will soon find themselves left behind in business. The ways of conducting transactions, managing properties, and interacting with clients have fundamentally shifted. Take, for example, the operations of ride-sharing services like Uber—simply inputting your destination allows the system to guide you without the need for human directions. The same shift is happening in property management and real estate services.
Today, technologies like drones can be used for property inspections, aerial surveys, and even cleaning tasks. Digital platforms allow for seamless management and reporting, making the processes faster and more accurate. For estate surveyors to remain relevant in this digital age, we need training programs like this one to ensure our members stay updated with these innovations and are not left behind.
What are your thoughts on the contributions of the resource persons invited to the training?
The resource persons were exceptional. They delivered insightful and thought-provoking sessions that provided participants with new perspectives on how to integrate technology into their practices. Their expertise and real-world examples helped us understand the practical applications of technology in the estate surveying field.
It’s a time for deep reflection on what we’ve learned. The insights from the facilitators have been very enlightening. As estate surveyors, we now have to go back and think about how we can implement what we’ve learned to enhance our work. It’s crucial for us to embrace this learning process because it will define our ability to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world.
What message do you have for the participants, now that the training has concluded?
To all the participants, I hope that today’s training has opened your eyes to the necessity of evolving with technology. This is no longer optional—it’s a requirement to stay competitive. The future of our profession lies in how well we can adopt and integrate new technological tools into our practices.
The world is not waiting for anyone, and neither is the real estate industry. The way forward is clear: we must learn, adapt, and grow. By leveraging the technologies we discussed today, such as digital mapping, data analysis tools, and property management software, we can provide better services to our clients and streamline our operations. I believe that if we take these lessons seriously, we can ensure that our profession remains at the forefront of progress.
Let us go forward with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to continuous learning. The future of estate surveying is bright, but only for those who are willing to embrace change and innovation. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success. We look forward to even more groundbreaking programs in the future.
Jamiu Abubakar
08085185886
