The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos Branch, has urged estate management and valuation students to prioritise competence, sound judgment, and value delivery as they prepare to enter professional practice. Mr Olusanjo Fawole, a Fellow of NIESV, gave the advice during the Fifth Hope Harriman Students' Series held at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) on Thursday. The event, themed "From Classroom to Practice: Owning Your Future in Nigeria's Evolving Real Estate Landscape," also featured the sub-theme "Land Titling in Nigeria: Why Estate Surveyors and Valuers Should Lead." Fawole stressed that the labour market rewards competence, not certificates, noting that many students face challenges transitioning from academic theory to real-world practice due to limited exposure to professionals. He said the curriculum often fails to reflect the demands of client management and negotiation in the field. Lack of confidence among fresh graduates was also identified as a barrier to professional success. Fawole advised students to engage in self-development by reading professional journals and enhancing practical skills to become bold and effective practitioners. Mr Ridwan Balogun, who delivered a lecture on land titling, defined it as the process of assigning lawful ownership documents through proper documentation and outlined key steps including verification, application, and documentation. The Head of Department of Estate Management and Valuation at LASUSTECH, Mr Olusola Ajibola, commended NIESV for creating opportunities that ease entry into the profession, recalling that such platforms were absent during his early career. Mr Tosin Kadiri, Chairman of NIESV Lagos Branch, said the Hope Harriman Series was established to close the gap between academic learning and professional requirements, citing employer concerns over graduates' lack of practical skills. He noted that LASUSTECH was selected to host the 2026 edition to promote inclusiveness, as previous events had taken place in other institutions. Students from Yaba College of Technology, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Gateway Polytechnic, and University of Benin attended the event. One beneficiary, Mr Abbas Joseph, described the programme as insightful and valued the chance to connect with industry professionals.
Fawole's emphasis on competence over certificates contradicts the current academic system that still prioritises paper qualifications in student assessment. If employers consistently report that graduates lack practical skills, then accreditation bodies must review curriculum standards. The selection of LASUSTECH for the 2026 event suggests past exclusivity in access to such professional engagements. Without expanding these opportunities to more schools annually, the gap between theory and practice will persist.
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