The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has urged its members to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to enhance their technical competence, professionalism and service delivery.

An estate surveyor, Akinyele Sanyaolu, gave the advice on Wednesday in Ibadan during the inauguration of Tanigbola Ola-Sunkanmi as the 17th chairman of the NIESV, Oyo State Branch, for the 2026–2028 administrative period.

Mr Sanyaolu, the investiture lecturer, who spoke on leadership, dispute resolution and management, emphasised the need to strengthen professional competence.

He urged practitioners to move beyond established practices and embrace emerging technologies, including AI, to improve efficiency and remain relevant in a rapidly changing professional environment.

He also highlighted the need for effective dispute resolution and leadership capable of strengthening professional institutions.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Ola-Sunkanmi pledged to promote professional development, institutional accountability, members’ welfare and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He unveiled an agenda tagged IDEAS to guide his administration’s policies and programmes over the next two years.

Explaining the agenda, Mr Ola-Sunkanmi said his administration would pursue inclusive leadership, professional capacity building, collaboration, accountability, advocacy and strategic development.

He said he would prioritise training, mentorship, research, innovation and knowledge-sharing to improve members’ professional competence and competitiveness.

“The future belongs to professionals who continuously learn and adapt,” he said.

He stressed the need to invest in initiatives that would enable both young and experienced practitioners to grow professionally.

Mr Ola-Sunkanmi also pledged to strengthen relationships with government agencies, regulatory bodies, tertiary institutions, corporate organisations and other professional bodies to promote the interests of estate surveyors and valuers.

He promised to include estate management students in tertiary institutions across Oyo State in the branch’s various professional development initiatives.

The chairman identified members’ welfare, transparent governance and the completion of the branch secretariat as other priorities.

Earlier, the immediate past chairman, Olufisayo Ogunbiyi, said his administration had recorded significant achievements during its 2024–2026 tenure.

Mr Ogunbiyi, who became the branch’s 16th chairman on August 7, 2024, appreciated members and other stakeholders for their support throughout his term.

He disclosed that 45 members had been elevated to the rank of Fellows, while 89 had attained corporate membership during the period.

According to him, the branch also organised professional development programmes, capacity-building workshops and a quiz competition among tertiary institutions offering estate management in Oyo State.

On infrastructure, Mr Ogunbiyi said the branch secretariat project had reached the roofing stage after the original building plan was reviewed and redesigned to reduce costs and facilitate completion.

He urged his successor to sustain the progress recorded and complete the project.

The national president of NIESV, Bature Ali-Muhammad, represented by the institution’s Publicity Secretary, Ayodele Olamoju, encouraged the new executives to build on the achievements of previous administrations.

He reiterated the importance of promoting unity and maintaining financial accountability.

He also charged the branch to strengthen collaboration with the national leadership.

The event’s highlights included goodwill messages and an awards presentation, among others.

 (NAN)