Department of
Estate Management
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Welcome to Department of Estate Management
As the Head of Department, I, Prof. Hikmot Adunola Koleoso, am honored to welcome you to the Department of Estate Management at the University of Lagos—the University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride. Our department is a leading academic unit dedicated to the valuation, development, and administration of land and property resources. Originally established to fill a vital national manpower gap, the department has been utilizing its strategic location in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve-centre, to train elite professionals in land and property resource management.
The Department of Estate Management lives up to the university’s reputation by maintaining rigorous academic standards as we continue to set the standard for excellence within the built environment. This is evidenced not only by our landmark achievement of producing nine first-class graduates in the 2020/2021 session but also by the consistent brilliance of our students, who have led the national professional body (NIESV) students’ quiz competition a couple of times and for the last two consecutive years. These successes reflect our core function of producing skilled manpower capable of solving complex property market problems and addressing the challenges of sustainable development whether through our fundamental B.Sc. programme or our specialized Postgraduate degrees in Facilities Management, Housing Development, or M.Phil. or Ph.D. Estate Management, we provide the specialized knowledge required for effective policy
Prof. H.A. Koleoso
Head of Department (HOD)
Our Vision
To cultivate expertise in Estate Surveying and Valuation that promotes sustainable, equitable, and technology-driven practices in the management of real estate interests.
Our Mission
To produce Estate Surveying and Valuation professionals who facilitate sustainable economic development by optimizing land use among competing claims, ensuring public interest, and fair returns to investors.
About Estate Management Department
Departmental Overview and Academic Functions
The Department of Estate Management at the University of Lagos functions as a vital academic unit dedicated to training professionals in the administration, valuation, development, and management of the Built Environment including facilities (building and their internal components) land resources and the interests in these assets. The department is committed to equipping students with a robust combination of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise required to excel in a competitive, increasingly dynamic, technology-driven and globally interconnected real estate industry. Through innovative teaching, research and industry engagement, the Department prepares future ready graduates to address emerging challenges and opportunities in property markets while contributing meaningfully to sustainable development and the effective management of the built environment.
To satisfy the diverse needs of the real estate and built environment sectors, the department offers a varied selection of academic tracks. These include the undergraduate B.Sc in Estate Management and specialized postgraduate offerings such as the M.Sc in Estate Management, the Master in Facilities Management, the Master in Housing Development and Management. Others are M.Phil. in Estate Management and Ph.D. in Estate Management. At the undergraduate level, the department provides fundamental training in valuation practice, property management, facilities management, property development and investment analysis. Students are trained in using technology-driven systems in the sustainable management of varied interests in land with a focus on land administration, property development project management, sustainable management of the built environment facilities and land economics and analysis (feasibility and viability studies for development projects). Moving to the postgraduate level, the M.Sc programme focuses on advanced techniques in real estate practice and portfolio management, producing researchers who can address complex market problems. The Master in Facilities Management specifically prepares professionals for the strategic oversight of buildings, utilizing technology-driven systems to ensure operational efficiency. This curriculum is designed to address globalization and service quality requirements in the modern world. Additionally, the Master in Housing Development and Management tackles housing policy, finance, and supply strategies, particularly for developing cities. By linking academic research with practical implementation, this programme fosters sustainable housing solutions. The M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes emphasize research competence, analytical capacity, industry innovation and thought leadership, policy insights and strategic decision making in the real estate industry. Collectively, these functions ensure the department remains a cornerstone for sustainable professional excellence in real estate.
Past and Present Leadership of The Department
The leadership history of the department began with Dr. J.O. Oni from the Department of Business Administration, who was supported by the renowned Professor Ben Acquaye from Ghana. Following the department’s independence, Nze M.A.C. Odu took
over in 1983, working with Professor Acquaye to align the department with Estate Surveyor’s and Valuer Registration Board (ESVARBON) and Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) standards. Odu served for two years before transitioning to an associate role, during which time Mrs. M.M. Omirin (now Professor Omirin) coordinated the unit under Acquaye’s supervision. Eventually, Mr. C.U. Onyedike was appointed, providing a dynamic focus that prioritized professional growth and staff development. This era saw lecturers like Mrs. Omirin and Mr. M.I. Okoro travel to England and Scotland for doctoral research respectively. After Onyedike’s passing in 1991, Mr. U.E. Opara coordinated until Dr. J.I. Ighalo arrived on sabbaticals from OAU, bringing eight years of administrative experience.
Mr. Opara later resumed leadership, earning praise for his dedication and the department’s continued growth. Dr. (Mrs.) M.M. Omirin subsequently took the helm, introducing a postgraduate curriculum that facilitated advanced research in real estate economics. She was followed in 2001 by Mr. T. Olugbenga Nubi (now a full Professor), who introduced a part-time B.Sc programme and organized influential national workshops on land management and housing delivery. After Nubi, Mr. Segun Yakubu Adisa served until 2004, boosting department funds through consultancies before leaving for doctoral studies. Dr. A.C. Otegbulu then took over, organizing high-profile workshops featuring notable speakers like Professor J.C. Nwafor and Professor Barth Nnaji. In 2015, Dr. G.K. Babawale assumed leadership, emphasizing teamwork and organizing sessions on valuation reliability. Professor
M.M. Omirin returned as head, fostering collaboration with professional bodies to promote best practices. Most recently, Professor Babawale returned to the position in 2021, delivering a landmark inaugural lecture on valuation accuracy and expanding international collaborations with the University of Nairobi.
Following Professor Babawale’s retirement, Dr. A. O Afolayan served as Acting Head of Department for a one-year tenure, ensuring the sustained progress of the unit in areas including students’ outstanding performance in national competitions. In August 2025, Professor H. A. Koleoso, an astute academician with passion for students and staff success and welfare, assumed the leadership position. As the first female alumnus to serve as Head of Department, she has moved quickly to enhance the robustness of students’ training, by facilitating effective engagements between students and industry practitioners. She has also taken prompt steps to improve the physical outlook and overall quality of the department, enhancing staff development, working relationships and strengthening ties with both professional institutions and the alumni network.
History and Evolution of the Department
The history of the Department of Estate Management at the University of Lagos dates to 1965 when the idea was first proposed, though it was not officially launched until the 1982/83 academic session. It was initially situated within the Faculty of Business Administration to address a critical manpower shortage in the field that other institutions like the University of Nigeria and Obafemi Awolowo University could not entirely fill. Given its location in Lagos—Nigeria’s commercial nerve center and former capital— the department was uniquely positioned to train experts in managing land and property resources. In its early years, the department sought to establish its independence, which was achieved in 1983 under the leadership of Nze M.A.C. Odu. Professional standards were set early on by collaborating with the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON).
Programmes
Take a significant step in your career journey by investing in your professional development through our faculty’s specialized certificate programs, designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in a focused area of study.
Undergraduate Programmes
Postgraduate Programmes
Student Opportunities
Discover the exciting opportunities awaiting students within this department. Here, you can explore pathways for intellectual growth, engage in stimulating learning experiences, and lay the foundation for future academic and professional success in a specific field of study.
