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Nigeria’s professional body for construction cost managers has unveiled a multi-million Naira solar project at its national headquarters as the industry faces mounting pressure to tackle rising energy costs and a building safety crisis.

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) officially renamed its Abuja head office on Monday in honour of its former president, Segun Ajanlekoko, describing him as the “most illustrious son” of the profession.

The ceremony also saw the commissioning of a new 100kVA solar power plant at the facility, marking a significant shift toward renewable energy for one of the country’s leading professional institutions.

‘Testament to commitment’

The current President of the NIQS, Aminu Bashir, stated that the move to solar was a strategic response to the soaring cost of electricity in Nigeria and a desire to reduce the institute’s carbon footprint.

“The cost of energy is rising, and we feel we must go green,” Mr. Bashir told guests in Abuja. “Today we commission this as a testament to our commitment to renewable energy.”

The honouree, Mr. Ajanlekoko—who has led several international surveying bodies—noted that the growth of the institute since its founding in 1969 reflected the rising influence of Nigerian professionals on the global stage.

The building collapse ‘blame game’

The event took place against a backdrop of national concern over recurring building collapses in Nigeria’s major cities. Addressing these fears, Mr. Ajanlekoko defended his colleagues, arguing that quantity surveyors—who manage the financial side of construction—are rarely the cause of structural failures.

“The major cause of collapsed buildings is not attributable to quantity surveyors, because we are cost managers,” he said. Instead, he pointed to the appointment of “bad contractors” or “incompetent engineers” as the primary drivers of disasters.

To combat the trend, he revealed that professionals across the industry have now formed the Building Collapse Professional Guild, a coalition aimed at improving oversight and safety standards on Nigerian construction sites.

Analysis: Cost discipline in a volatile market

In a country where infrastructure projects are frequently hit by “cost bloat” and delays, quantity surveyors occupy a sensitive role. By naming their headquarters after a leader known for international “cost discipline,” the NIQS is attempting to reinforce its image as a watchdog for transparency.

Furthermore, the transition to a 100kVA solar system is a practical demonstration of “cost management” in action. As diesel and grid electricity prices continue to fluctuate, the institute is betting that solar will provide a more stable and affordable operational base.

For Nigeria’s wider construction industry, the message from Abuja is clear: the future must be both structurally sound and environmentally sustainable.