By Ameh Gabriel
Abuja, Nigeria – July 13, 2025 – The Surveyor General of the Federation (SGOF), Surv. Abudulganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, has outlined the expanded roles of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) following its relocation to the Presidency, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
In a statement signed on 13th August 2025 by Henry David Head, Information and Public Relations Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation
The staement reads: During a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and the Association of Private Practising Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), Abuja branch, Adebomehin stressed that all requests for the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), permits, and survey plans along Nigeria’s shoreline have been suspended. The suspension, he explained, will remain in force until OSGOF assesses each case on merit for further processing.
He further directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to compile and submit all approvals previously granted to individuals and corporate entities along the shoreline. Similarly, any documents submitted to other ministries, departments, or agencies (MDAs) concerning OSGOF’s jurisdiction must now be redirected to the office.
Adebomehin warned against the continued duplication of OSGOF’s statutory roles by certain MDAs and cautioned some state governments still allocating land within the shoreline without OSGOF’s approval, in violation of the President’s directive.
“The enforcement unit will demolish any unapproved structures within the Right of Way (ROW). This is an executive order, and the Federal Government will not tolerate illegal allocations around the shoreline,” Adebomehin declared. “OSGOF has the right maps, and we are committed to ensuring strict compliance with the law of the sea.”
In his remarks, NIS President, Surv. Chief P.C. Eze, commended the SGOF for his dedication to advancing the surveying profession in Nigeria and expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration between NIS, APPSN, and OSGOF.
“We now have a tripod—APPSN, NIS, and OSGOF—firmly set for greater achievements,” Eze said. “This is what we have been praying for, and we are committed to making it work.”
NIS Secretary-General, Surv. Folakemi Odunewu, presented a seven-point agenda to the SGOF, which includes:
Digital transformation of the National Secretariat
Enhanced public relations and stakeholder engagement
Re-agitation for the Survey Coordination Act
Additional structures for awarding professional excellence
Comprehensive focus on core projects
Advocacy for the establishment of a Ministry of Surveying and Geoinformatics
The meeting concluded with all stakeholders agreeing to work closely towards harmonising shoreline documentation, advancing the surveying profession, and ensuring better inter-agency coordination.
