Young Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Kwara State have extended their career sensitisation campaign to secondary schools as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's real estate sector and address quackery in property practice.

The outreach, held in Ilorin on Friday, forms part of a broader national drive to deepen awareness about estate surveying and valuation, a profession stakeholders describe as strategic to economic development, land administration, compensation processes and property investment advisory.

The initiative comes amid rapid urban expansion in Ilorin and other parts of Kwara State, where rising land transactions, housing developments and government acquisition projects have increased demand for certified professionals.

Speaking with Arewa PUNCH, the Kwara State Coordinator of the group, ESV Ibrahim Sani, said the campaign was designed to bridge knowledge gaps and position young Nigerians for opportunities within the expanding property market.

"It aligns with our membership drive. There is a need to sensitise the general public about our activities," Sani said.

"We have been visiting tertiary institutions, but we are now extending the outreach to secondary schools. We need to catch them young. This is an initiative we are implementing in line with that objective."

He noted that estate surveyors and valuers play a central role in development planning, particularly in states experiencing steady urban growth.

"We advise investors on real estate investments, which contribute significantly to the state's GDP," he said, adding that professional advisory services have attracted investors from within and outside Kwara.

Sani further explained that practitioners provide valuation services for government agencies, including the Bureau of Lands, and are involved in compensation and acquisition projects.

"We render a wide range of services. Valuation is required for processing certain property documents. We also manage properties and serve as consultants on government projects," he said.

The Vice Coordinator of the Kwara branch, ESV Olaniyi Kafilat Jumoke, described the engagement with students of Saint Barnabas Secondary School, Ilorin, as strategic.

"The purpose of the outreach was to sensitise the students about our profession and enlighten them on the requirements needed to pursue a career in this field," she said.

She described estate surveying and valuation as a rewarding profession capable of positively shaping young people's lives while contributing to national development.

Also speaking, ESV Olatayo Alabi Adekeye said the campaign addresses the persistent issue of unqualified practitioners operating in the sector.

He noted that while quackery is a global challenge, maintaining ethical standards and proper mentorship remains essential to protecting the integrity of the profession.

Adekeye highlighted improved collaboration between estate surveyors and the Kwara State Government, particularly within the Geographic Information System framework, which he said enhances transparency in land documentation and valuation processes.

One of the participating students, Abolarin Faith, said the programme broadened her understanding of estate surveying and introduced her to new career possibilities.

Stakeholders say early mentorship and sustained advocacy are crucial to sustaining professional standards in a sector that continues to play a significant role in Nigeria's non-oil economy and urban development.