The Kwara State Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) on Thursday hosted its 2025 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) seminar at the Mini Campus of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, focusing on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern real estate appraisal.
The one-day workshop, themed “The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Real Estate Appraisal,” brought together practitioners, academics, students, policymakers, and professional bodies to discuss how valuation practices must evolve in response to global technological advancements.
Declaring the event open, the Chairman of the Occasion and Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamaru Oluwatoyin, expressed gratitude to NIESV for selecting the Polytechnic as the host, calling it “a demonstration of trust” in the institution’s academic and technological capacity.
Represented by the Librarian, Dr. Stephen Babalola, the Rector described the workshop theme as “timely and visionary,” noting that AI is reshaping professions worldwide and that estate surveyors and valuers cannot remain mere spectators.
Dr. Oluwatoyin highlighted AI’s transformative impact on valuation, including automated property appraisal, predictive market analysis, investment modeling, GIS-driven land administration, property documentation, and client advisory services.
He added that AI offers enhanced precision, transparency, and professional intelligence, and praised the institution’s real estate laboratories equipped with digital valuation tools, GIS systems, simulation software, and analytical instruments.
In his welcome address, NIESV Kwara Branch Chairman, ESV Kehinde Alli, members, resource persons, students, and supporting organizations for contributing to the seminar’s success.
He said AI was chosen as the theme due to its global influence on human activity and professional practice.
The seminar featured three presentations from leading experts:
Dr. Tayo Odunsi, a business strategist, highlighted AI’s global impact on real estate appraisal and urged Nigeria to reduce reliance on manual valuation methods, emphasizing AI’s potential to improve accuracy, minimize bias, and support better investment decisions.
Dr. Adedamola Audu of Joseph Ayo Babalola University discussed integrating AI with traditional valuation methods, noting applications such as Automated Valuation Models, machine learning, GIS, and computer vision for automated inspections.
He recommended continuous professional development, GIS-AI adoption, reform of valuation practices, and collaboration between academia, practitioners, and regulators.
Dr. Samson Ojekalu explored AI’s practical implications for property inspection, data management, and modern asset intelligence, stressing the need to equip valuers with advanced digital competencies to remain globally competitive.
The seminar concluded with a call for estate surveyors to embrace AI-driven approaches, ensuring Nigeria’s valuation practices align with international standards and benefit from modern technological innovations.
