Buying land in Nigeria, especially in fast-growing urban and peri-urban areas, comes with significant risks. One of the most common threats to buyers is the activities of Omo-Onile land grabbers. These individuals or family groups often sell land they do not legally own, sell the same land to multiple buyers, or demand endless “settlement” fees long after payment has been made. A licensed surveyor is…
Hiring qualified, fast-thinking engineering surveyors is not optional; it’s a strategic decision that influences the cost, safety, longevity, and success of road projects. 4.1 Cost Efficiency and Risk Reduction Proper surveying reduces risks of misalignment, poor grading, incorrect cut and fill estimates, drainage failure, or structural collapse. It avoids costly rework, unexpected delays, material waste, and litigation from wrong land use or misplacement. 4.2 Compliance…
Surveying has evolved; today’s surveyors combine traditional methods with modern technology to deliver accurate, efficient, and reliable data. Key tools and techniques include: 3.1 GNSS Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) allow surveyors to collect accurate horizontal and vertical positioning data over large areas rapidly. GNSS surveying is especially valuable for long road alignments, remote areas, and when extending control networks. GNSS reduces time spent compared…
Land encroachment remains one of the most common triggers of property disputes in Nigeria. Rapid urban expansion, lack of proper documentation, informal land transactions, and boundary misunderstandings frequently lead to conflicts between neighbors, families, developers, and even government agencies. In this landscape, surveyors serve as the frontline professionals ensuring clarity, accuracy, and legal certainty in land ownership and boundary definition. A surveyor’s work does not…
In road construction, surveyors are the backbone of every successful project. They turn preliminary ideas into buildable, reliable plans. The surveyor’s Key responsibilities include: 2.1 Defining Alignment, Elevation, and Terrain Engineering surveyors perform detailed topographic and terrain surveys before design begins. These surveys gather data on land slopes, contours, elevation changes, natural drainage paths, existing infrastructure, and obstacles that influence alignment. This enables engineers to…
Your path into surveying doesn’t have to be confusing. Here’s the guidance many wish they had when they started. For many years in this profession, one thing I have consistently observed is the uncertainty young surveyors and geomatics students experience when trying to find their footing or choose a career path in such a vast industry. And I understand that feeling very well, because when…
Introduction Bad roads are more than inconvenient; they are costly, unsafe, and reflect poor planning and execution. Many road failures begin long before asphalt is laid; they start at the survey and design stage. In Nigeria, repeated road collapses, potholes, and rapid deterioration across highways have been linked to poor design, weak materials, inadequate drainage, insufficient geological investigation, and substandard construction practices. The Guardian Nigeria+2AB…
In Nigeria’s marine and inland water environments, bathymetric surveys are only as good as the team behind them because they are broad, deeply technical, and central to marine project success. Bathymetric surveys may also follow the same principles everywhere, but the realities on Nigerian waters demand a different level of preparedness, situational awareness, and engineering judgment. Real expertise is not built in classrooms; it is…
When you’re planning a land, engineering, construction, hydrographic, or mapping project in Nigeria, choosing the right surveying company can make or break everything. Good data leads to good decisions. Bad data creates delays, losses, disputes, and failed projects. Across Nigeria today, the best surveying companies share certain qualities that set them apart. This guide breaks down those qualities so you can identify the right firm…
PART 1: Bathymetry Beyond the Basics: Field Realities, Technical Precision & Why Accurate Seafloor Mapping Defines Project Success For years, OTIC Surveys Limited has executed some of the most demanding bathymetric surveys across Nigeria’s inland waterways, coastal corridors, ports, and industrial waterfronts. From shallow creeks in Port-Harcourt to high-traffic terminals in Lagos, our team has seen how underwater terrain can directly influence the success or…
