NIQS Renames Abuja Headquarters After Ajanlekoko

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has renamed its national headquarters in Abuja as QS J. Segun Ajanlekoko House, in honour of a distinguished professional whose legacy has shaped the growth of quantity surveying in Nigeria and across Africa.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, NIQS president, Dr. Aminu M. Bashir, described the occasion as a watershed moment in the Institute’s history, noting that the decision to immortalise Ajanlekoko was in recognition of his decades of service, mentorship, and contributions to professional development.

He said Ajanlekoko, regarded as one of the most illustrious ambassadors of the profession, authored several books, led the delivery of the Institute’s first national secretariat in Lagos, and mentored generations of quantity surveyors.

The president also announced that other notable figures in the profession were honoured at the event, with the council chamber named after the late Dr. Shehu L. Giwa, a pioneering northern quantity surveyor and scholar, while the data resource centre was named after Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Oforeh, credited with developing one of the first indigenous quantity surveying software solutions.

Bashir added that the Institute commissioned a 100kVA solar power project at the headquarters, underscoring its commitment to renewable energy and reduced carbon footprint amid rising energy costs.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Ademola Adebise, said the new headquarters symbolises the Institute’s resilience, growth, and commitment to professional excellence, stressing that quantity surveyors play a critical role in ensuring cost discipline, transparency, and value in Nigeria’s construction industry.

According to him, Ajanlekoko’s leadership across national and international professional bodies represents a legacy of institution-building and service that elevated the profession beyond practice.

He noted that as Nigeria intensifies investments in infrastructure and housing, the role of quantity surveyors has become increasingly vital, particularly in ensuring sustainable project delivery and accountability.

Adebise called for stronger collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector to train more professionals capable of addressing the country’s housing deficit and infrastructure needs.

In his remarks, the celebrant, QS J. Segun Ajanlekoko, expressed gratitude for the honour, describing the edifice as a testament to what commitment and professionalism can achieve.

He emphasised that excellence in the built environment requires adherence to standards and the engagement of qualified professionals, warning against the use of quacks, which he said contributes to building failures.

Ajanlekoko clarified that quantity surveyors are primarily cost managers and not responsible for structural failures, attributing building collapses largely to incompetent contractors and poor professional practices.

He advocated stricter enforcement of regulations to ensure only certified professionals handle construction projects, noting that this would enhance accountability, safeguard investments, and improve outcomes in the sector.

On the role of quantity surveyors in economic development, he described them as the “heartbeat” of the construction industry, stressing that their involvement from project inception guarantees cost efficiency, transparency, and value for money.

The event, which coincided with key regional meetings of professional bodies, highlighted the growing importance of quantity surveying in driving Nigeria’s infrastructure agenda and broader economic transformation.