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By Maduka Nweke
The collaboration between the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) and the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) for the Ghana conference has fostered several joint initiatives, including co-hosting conferences, research partnerships, and the adoption of global cost management standards. These efforts have resulted in more accurate cost estimation, enhanced project control, greater efficiency, and a reduction in disputes within Nigeria’s construction industry.
Held in Accra, the event offered a significant platform for NIQS to strengthen its relationship with ICEC while reaffirming its leadership in construction cost management during the 44th ICEC meeting from October 18–19, 2024. The conference highlighted NIQS’s commitment to advancing construction cost practices through international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
“The ICEC, established in 1976, is a non-profit organization representing Cost Engineering professionals globally. It fosters cooperation among quantity surveyors, cost managers, and project stakeholders worldwide. This year’s conference featured member organizations from over 15 countries, including Nigeria, the United Kingdom, China, Brazil, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, and the host country, Ghana.
The organisers said: “The NIQS has been a long-standing member of ICEC, benefiting from the partnership in various ways, including knowledge sharing, professional development, capacity-building, and advocacy.
Through participation in ICEC activities, the institute has enhanced the professional competence of Nigerian quantity surveyors, promoted international best practices, and expanded its global recognition.
One of the key moments was the inauguration of ICEC’s new Global Chair, QS. Dr. Seah Hsui-Min Eugene from Singapore, and the reappointment of Mr. Peter Smith from Australia as Secretary-General for another two-year term. NIQS President Mr Kene C. Nzekwe FNIQS was represented by Deputy President Mr. Aminu M. Bashir, accompanied by other NIQS delegates, including Abdulkadir S. Rasheed, the Secretary for Professional Development & amp; Library (SPDL), and Assistant Secretary-General QS Olajide Olamilokun. Additionally, Mercy Iyortyer, Chair of the International Federation of Surveyors Commission 10, attended further solidifying NIQS’s position in international Cost Engineering circles.
In another development, on October 20, 2024, the African Association of Quantity Surveyors (AAQS) held its executive council meeting at the same venue. The meeting provided another opportunity for NIQS to engage with other African stakeholders in the quantity surveying profession. Prominent attendees included Segun Ajanlekoko, President of the Commonwealth Association of Surveyors and Land Economy (CASLE) and Obafemi O. Onashile, President of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) and the Immediate Past President of the Africa Association of Quantity Surveyors (AAQS) and several other QSRBN board members.
The NIQS-ICEC partnership highlights the importance of global collaboration in advancing quantity surveying and cost engineering practices. Moving forward, the NIQS aims to expand its participation in ICEC activities, focusing on research, advocacy, training, and capacity- building initiatives.
The institute’s commitment to continuous improvement and international cooperation underscores its role as the leading authority in construction cost management and cost engineering in Nigeria. Through such global partnerships, the NIQS is poised to maintain its leadership in cost engineering, ensuring Nigerian quantity surveyors remain competitive and well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry.
