The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has appealed to the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to upgrade the Edo State survey department to an extra-ministerial status and rename it the Office of the Surveyor General of Edo State, aligning it with counterparts in Ogun, Lagos, and other states.
The National President of NIS, Surv. Matthew Olomolatan Ibitoye, made the appeal at the 58th Edo Annual General Meeting and Conference held in Benin.
Ibitoye also lamented the non-accreditation of surveying and geoinformatics programs in Nigerian universities and polytechnics, which he said has resulted in a shortage of surveyors in the country. He noted that while there are approximately 33 universities and 34 polytechnics in Nigeria, only a few have the manpower to train surveyors, negatively affecting the profession.
“Furthermore, I wish to highlight the urgent need for investment in our educational institutions that train surveying and geoinformatics professionals. Currently, these institutions suffer from a shortage of qualified and adequate lecturers, resulting in a poor lecturer-student ratio. This, along with other factors such as lack of adequate modern equipment and a poor teaching environment, often contributes to the non-accreditation of surveying and geoinformatics programs in most institutions. Current statistics show that we have approximately 33 universities and 34 polytechnics offering surveying programs in Nigeria but fewer lecturers, indicating a dire situation,” Ibitoye said.
Ibitoye urged the federal government to urgently intervene and recruit more lecturers to staff these institutions, thereby bridging the wide gaps.
Addressing the issue of Nigerians leaving the country in droves, Ibitoye appealed to the federal government to address the matter promptly.
Declaring the 58th Edo Annual General Meeting and Conference open in Benin, the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, represented by his deputy, Engr. Godwin Omobayo, welcomed the association to the state and wished them peaceful deliberations. The governor further assured them that the issue raised regarding the upgrade of the Edo State survey department to an extra-ministerial status would be looked into and addressed.
