Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr Tope Fashua, calls for stronger discipline and transparency in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
The Federal Government has called for tougher transparency measures, improved cost control and higher professional standards in the execution of public infrastructure, warning that inflated contracts, weak monitoring and abandoned projects are hindering national development.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr Tope Fashua, Senior Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, delivered the message at the 2025 Biennial Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) in Abuja.
He said Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal reforms must translate into value-driven public spending and infrastructure that delivers measurable results.
“Fiscal reforms alone cannot deliver the Nigeria we aspire to. Government spending must be guided by strict oversight, transparency and measurable outcomes,” he said.
VP Shettima noted that infrastructure remains central to the government’s strategy for job creation, industrial growth and competitiveness, with ongoing investments in transport, housing, energy, water and digital connectivity. However, he stressed that these efforts must be accompanied by disciplined project implementation.
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“We cannot afford inflated contracts, unnecessary variations or compromises in professional standards,” he said. “We must move from building projects to building systems.”
Government Outlines Reform Priorities
The Vice President said the Federal Government would deepen collaboration with NIQS in several strategic areas, including:
- Standardised procurement frameworks and cost benchmarks
- A national infrastructure cost database
- Improved feasibility and project preparation
- Capacity development in digital project management and PPPs
- Stronger monitoring from project conception to completion
He urged quantity surveyors to “speak truth to power” and challenge irregular estimates to protect public interest.
“No nation rises higher than the character of those who build it,” he added.
Quantity Surveyors Central to Rebuilding Nigeria – Housing Minister
Also addressing the conference, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, said quantity surveyors will play a defining role as Nigeria expands public infrastructure and strengthens governance reforms.
According to him, the Federal Government’s current housing and urban renewal programmes require stronger cost governance, reliable valuations and accountability.
“You uphold cost integrity, ensure value-for-money and strengthen procurement transparency. You give structure to budgets and credibility to contracts,” he said.
Dangiwa highlighted the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Initiative in 150 locations, and the National Land Titling Programme as examples of projects dependent on accurate professional costing.
He also announced plans for building materials manufacturing hubs across the six geopolitical zones to reduce construction costs and improve local availability.
Sector Must Align with Modern Governance – NIQS President
NIQS President, QS Kene Nzekwe, said Nigeria’s economic recovery requires robust fiscal reforms, improved infrastructure delivery and modern governance practices aligned with global standards.
He said the profession must adopt research-based approaches, digital tools and cost intelligence to support the scale of public spending underway.
“Quantity surveyors are custodians of efficiency. Our skills promote transparency, accountability and value-for-money in public expenditure,” he said.
Nzekwe commended ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, increasing revenue and improving public sector funding, but said effective implementation would determine their success.
He urged professionals to use the conference to deepen capacity, share knowledge and adapt to evolving governance expectations.
Shared Consensus
Speakers at the conference agreed that Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, from abandoned contracts to cost overruns require stronger professional oversight, improved data systems, digital project monitoring and a public sector culture that prioritises value over expenditure.
The stakeholders called for greater partnerships among government, private sector and professional bodies to build infrastructure that is sustainable, cost-efficient and nationally transformative.
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