Surv. (Dr.) Mathew Ibitoye, President, NIS
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Nigeria Institute of Surveyors (NIS) has expressed worry over the decision of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to exclude the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) from the list of professional bodies permitted to continue their oversight functions in the nation’s universities.
NIS expressed its sadness over the development in a welcome address read by its National President, Surv. Dr. Mathew Ibitoye, at the ongoing 59th Annual General Meeting and Conference of Nigerian Institute of Surveyors, holding in Enugu.
Ibitoye said that while NIS appreciates the NUC intention to reduce administrative burdens on universities, it is very wrong to exclude SURCON from the list of professional regulatory bodies.
NUC in it’s circular issued on May 20,2025 titled, “Stoppage of Multiple Accreditation of Academic Programmes by Professional Bodies in Nigerian Universities (Ref:NUC/ES/138/Vol.65/202) delisted SURCON from the list of professional regulatory bodies in the nation’s universities.
Surv.Ibitoye stated,”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 categorically that SURCON was established by an Act of the National Assembly (No S18 LPN 2004). Section 4 of that Act clearly mandates SURCON to determine what standard of knowledge and skills 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”.
The NIS President,Surv.Dr Ibitoye stressed that the statutory mandate directly pertains to the professional competence of Surveying and Geoinformatics graduates.
He stated,”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 SURCON’s mandate remains valid until amended or repealed by the National Assembly.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”.
Surv.Ibitoye further lamented that the dissolution of all Boards of Federal Government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government owned companies which took effect on the 16th of June 2023 adversely affected the operations of SURCON for neary two years.
He lamented,”The Federal Government has not reconstituted the SURCON Council.This prolonged delay has undoubtedly hampered the effective and smooth execution of it’s statutory responsibilities.We use this opportunity to appeal to all concerned to take the issue of constituting SURCON Council as a matter of urgency and priority”.
He commended the theme of the conference”” Harnessing Geospatial intelligence in the New World” as ripe in helping the Nigerian Surveyors meet up with global standard in effective planning and sustainable development goals.
Declaring the conference open,Governor Peter Mbah represented by the Secretary to the State Government,SSG,Prof.Chidiebere Onyia,harped that his administration notes the great role of Surveyors in Nation building, stating that Enugu state has played consequential role in the history of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors. He appraised the contributions of the Surveyors in Enugu state to the present administration’s development plan,stating Governor Mbah acknowlegded the position of Surveyor General of the state on inception of office. He extolled them for taking their 59th Annual General Meeting to Enugu and cautioned them to curtail the prevalence and menace of quacks in the profession.
