Surveyors induct 30 fellows, urge public service

The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors has inducted no fewer than 30 new fellows, with a charged on them to uphold the integrity of the institution in a bid to ensure that it continues to serve the Nigerian citizens better.

The charge was made during the 2026 Fellows Investiture of the institution, where six distinguished Nigerians from the various sectors of the country were conferred honorary fellows in recognition of their contributions to national development and support for the surveying profession.

Those honoured included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas;

the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah; the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; a former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa; Chairman of Atlas Oranto Petroleum International Limited, Arthur Eze; and a distinguished scholar and renowned cartographer, Olayinka Yaro Balogun.

Speaking at the event which was held on Thursday at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, the Chairman of the NIS Board of Fellows, Alabo David Charles, described the event as an occasion to recognise professional excellence, integrity and outstanding contributions within the surveying profession.

While noting that the investiture remains the highest recognition within the institution, Charles disclosed that the 30 Fellows-elect were admitted as Fellows after a rigorous screening process, adding that they were also found worthy in character, knowledge and contribution to the development of the profession.

Therefore, he urged the new Fellows to see their elevation as a call to higher responsibility, emphasising that as Fellows, they are the conscience of the profession and custodians of its values.

Alabo David Charles said, “The annual Fellows’ Investiture Ceremony of our institution is a momentous event where we publicly recognise and celebrate professional excellence, integrity, and outstanding contributions. It is an occasion to honour our members who have distinguished themselves and are admitted to the highest membership cadre of our great institution.

“Fellowship of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors is an honour bestowed on deserving members who have continuously abided by the institution’s core values and objectives in their personal and professional lives.

“Therefore, it is expected of such honoured members to be of high moral standard, sound professional practice, and proven integrity.

“It is also expected of honoured members to pledge their unalloyed loyalty to the institution.

“This year, we are particularly delighted to honour a total of thirty (30) members, our Fellows-Elect, who have been found worthy of admission into the prestigious Fellowship Cadre of our Institution.

“These Fellows-Elect have undergone a rigorous selection procedure and have been adjudged worthy in character, knowledge, and contribution to the development of the surveying profession.

“This year’s investiture is made even more special by also honouring six distinguished personalities (who are non-surveyors) as Honourary Fellows of the Nigerian Institution of surveyors,” Alabo David Charles stressed.

He added, “Your duties, as leaders, go beyond contributing to the development of the surveying profession and promoting its good name; you must also contribute to your immediate environment and the society. By upholding the ethics of the profession and with strong moral conduct in your private and public dealings, you can contribute your quota to nation-building.

“Therefore, you must aspire to be an epitome of integrity, honour, transparency, fair play, and accountability always. Hence, I want to charge all those that will be invested as Fellows today, and those that have been invested in the past, to remain steadfast and focused in the pursuit of issues that will bring about positive growth and development in the Institution and our Nation. I urge you to be loyal to the Board of Fellows and the Institution and be always her good ambassadors,” he maintained.

Charles further pledged the commitment of the Board of Fellows to continue to offer its unwavering support to the institution by steadfastly executing its core function of playing an advisory role to the institution’s leadership.

In conclusion, he extended his sincere appreciation to the members of the Screening Committee, the Investiture Committee, and the the Distinguished Executive Committee of the Board of Fellows for organising a wonderful and memorable event for the NIS.

In his address, President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Pius Chukwuemeka Eze, emphasised the critical role of surveying in Nigeria’s development, describing the profession as “the bedrock of every meaningful development in the country.”

He noted that in line with this year’s just celebrated 2026 Global Surveyors’ Day, themed “Surveyors Challenges in Multisectoral Growth,” surveyors roles in the country’s growth had expanded beyond land and tape measurement.

However, Eze explained that the limitations of surveyors ranges from security threats to technological gaps, noting that these issues had necessitated a push for increased security, technological adoption, and more strict ethical enforcement.

“Let me congratulate all the Fellows-Elect, for successfully navigating through the different cadres of membership, painstakingly getting to the echelon of our profession and found worthy to be Fellows of our revered institution. Your investiture confers on you the unique status as respected members of our institution and society, who will be looked up to, for advice, guidance, and mentorship.

“This new status will come with responsibilities that will test your resolve, with expectations for you all to discharge your roles with great skills and expertise, due diligence, high ethical conduct that will bring satisfaction to your clients and uphold the sanctity of our profession and institution at all times.

“I sincerely appreciate the BoF Chairman, Surv. (Alabo) C.D. Charles, for his visionary leadership and memorable investiture. On behalf of the Executives and Council of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, I once again congratulate the BoF Executives, Investiture Committee, Fellows and Fellows-Elect of the institution,” he stressed.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, in her keynote address, urged the inductees to work towards the continuous growth and development of the NIS, adding that their elevation should also serve as a call to national service.

Walson-Jack, who was represented by the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, insisted that the institution must position itself as a strategic national partner in development.

While emphasising that surveyors play a crucial role in policy implementation, infrastructure planning and economic growth, the Head of Civil Service further called on other practicing surveyors across the country to collaborate with the 30 new fellows in order to enable them succeed in carrying out their duties for the institution.

On his part, the Royal Father of the Day, the Emir of Nasarawa, His Highness, Dr. Ibrahim Usman Jibril called on the NIS to increase support to universities and other institutions of higher learning in the country through the provision of necessary tools and equipment in order to have better graduates as surveyors.

“To the new Fellows, I urge you to search for young persons, even those who have not studied surveying, mentor them, and encourage them to study surveying.

“This way, we will continue to have qualified surveyors in the country, and the NIS will continue to make great impacts,” he pointed out.

Arewa PUNCH, meanwhile, reports that the 30 newly inducted fellows include: Surv. Johnson Akinyele Akinsola Fagbamiye, Surv. Chigozie Dimgba, Surv. Malandi Umar Kura, Surv. Isah Funtua Abdulkadir, Surv. Bello Kayode Tajudeen, Surv. Idris Muhammad, Surv. Adenike Adejoke Tejuosho, Surv. Henry Omoregbe Aghedo, Surv. Baridi Sunday Legbara, and Surv. Ekpo Effiong, among others.