By Etop Ekanem

In order to be globally competitive, National President Estate Rent & Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN) Johnson Ajikan has urged members to embrace virtues of ethics and professionalism.

Speaking during the association’s national conference held in Lagos recently, he described the real estate sector as one of the most vital pillars of the nation’s economy.

Themed, ‘Repositioning agency practice in a changing real estate market: Challenges, ethics, technology, tax and professional growth.’ he advised, ‘I call on every member of ERCAAN to remain committed to unity, professionalism, and ethical conduct. Together, we can build a stronger, more respected, and more organised association that will stand the test of time.’

Speaking further, he identified challenges confronting the industry as activities of unregistered practitioners; lack of proper regulation in some areas, unethical practices by a few individuals and the growing concerns about transparency and professionalism in property transactions

Saying the association’s mission is to organise, regulate and promote ethical standards among estate rent and commission agents across the country, he further urged members to be guided by the constitution of the association.

In addition, he urged members to work closely with government authorities, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders in the real estate sector to address issues such as housing shortages, property fraud, multiple agency conflicts, and tenant-landlord disputes.

In his lecture, assistant national publicity secretary Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) Ayodele Olamoju urged the members to uphold integrity at all tines.

Concerning the tax laws, he suggested, ‘compliance with the tax laws not only prevents sanctions, but also builds corporate integrity, making agents more attractive to institutional and international clients.’

In conclusion, he observed the nation’s real estate market stands at a critical junction, one defined by growth potential and transformation pressures. To this end, he advised that, “the agency profession must respond to the changes with integrity, innovation and intelligence. Repositioning agency practice in Nigeria requires a strategic alignment of ethics, technology and professional development.’