BUILDING SURVEYING PRACTICE IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: PROSPECTS, BARRIERS AND ENHANCED MEASURES

Abstract

The building surveying profession is an emerging field of expertise that professionals in the Nigerian building industry have not yet embraced. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the barriers constraining the uptake of the profession and suggest measures for its survival amidst other professions in the Nigerian built environment. A survey research strategy was espoused to elicit empirical data from 108 construction experts in Nigeria who were randomly selected. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23.0) and Microsoft Excel. The study revealed that barriers constraining the practice of building surveying in Nigeria were a lack of public awareness, limited education and training opportunities, and resistance from existing professions. While developing better relations, reviewing the academic curriculum, and raising awareness were key strategies for its uptake. The study concludes that the building surveying profession is deemed important by the majority of built professionals in Nigeria, and possesses significant prospects, but constrained by the lack of public awareness and resistance from existing professions in the built environment. It is therefore recommended that building surveyors should strengthen their relationships with existing professional bodies. This may be accomplished through establishing periodic forums for idea-sharing and collaboration.