As the surveyors all over the world and Nigeria marked Global Surveyors’ Day, a Seasoned Surveyor cum legal practitioner, Osaretin Ogbebor, has added his voice for renewed calls to address unlawful restrictions and discrimination affecting professional surveyors in Nigeria.
Osaretin made the call while highlighted the essential role surveyors play in land administration, infrastructure development, and national planning, while drawing attention to policies seen as inconsistent with existing laws.
Osaretin in a statement issued today, expressed concerns over survey practices in some states of the country, where professionals are barred from surveying lands designated as government acquisitions.
He also criticized restrictions placed on non-indigenous surveyors who are allegedly denied equal opportunities to practice within certain jurisdictions.
According to him, “no provision in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Land Use Act, or the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria Act prohibits duly qualified surveyors from working on any land within the country”,
He also emphasized that surveying is a neutral technical process that does not confer ownership or alter land status, but simply provides accurate data for planning and documentation.
Osaretin argued that restricting surveyors is both legally unfounded and harmful to effective land governance, noting that other built environment professionals continue to operate without similar limitations.
He described the exclusion of non-indigenous practitioners as a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom from discrimination based on origin.
The survey expert warn that such practices could weaken data accuracy and hinder development planning nationwide. While calling on the authorities to uphold constitutional rights and ensure surveyors can work freely across all states without intimidation or bias.
“As Nigeria seeks sustainable growth, stakeholders must insist that protecting professional standards in surveying remains critical to national development and unity.
He urged regulators and state governments to align their policies with national laws and professional guidelines, stressing that uniform standards would improve transparency and investor confidence in land administration systems.
He also called for increased awareness among the public about the role of surveyors in preventing disputes and ensuring orderly development.
Osaretin reaffirmed that safeguarding the rights of surveyors is essential for fairness and progress in Nigeria.