Analysis of the Role of Estate Surveyors in Mortgage Valuation in Kano State

This study analyses the role of estate surveyors in mortgage property valuation in Kano State, North West Nigeria, examining valuation methodology, professional standards, and the adequacy of valuations in supporting mortgage lending decisions by financial institutions. Mortgage valuation is a critical professional service that determines credit security for lenders and influences borrower access to housing finance, making the quality and methodology of valuations a matter of both professional and public interest. The study adopts a qualitative research design, conducting semi-structured interviews with 30 estate surveyors practising in Kano, 15 mortgage loan officers from commercial and microfinance banks, and 10 officials from the NIESV Kano chapter. Interview themes covered valuation approaches employed, professional independence concerns, capacity to value specialised property types, and adherence to the NIESV Mandatory Professional Requirements for Valuation. Findings reveal that the sales comparison approach is predominantly applied, with limited use of the income approach for commercial properties or the cost approach for specialised buildings. Professional independence is compromised in some cases where client pressure influences assessed values upward to facilitate loan approvals. Limited availability of reliable comparable transaction data, particularly for residential properties outside GRA and Nasarawa neighbourhoods, is identified as a major methodological challenge. The study recommends establishing a shared comparables database for Kano property professionals, strengthening the NIESV's disciplinary framework for valuation ethics, and mandating rotation of panel valuers by mortgage lenders. Keywords: mortgage valuation, estate surveyors, valuation methodology, Kano, professional standards.