Estate Surveying and Valuation as a profession gained limelight in Nigeria when in 1969; a group of qualified Chartered (General Practice) Surveyors formed what is known as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) as a non-profit voluntary professional organization to cater for the interest of the profession in the Country.
This group then sorts Government recognition. Six year later, it was accorded Government recognition by the promulgation of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration, Etc.) Decree No. 24 of 1975, now CAP E. 13 LFN 2007.
This legislation established Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) as the regulatory body for the profession.
The profession of Estate Surveying and Valuation means the art, science and practice of:
1. Determining the value of all description of property assets (Corporate and incorporated, movable and unmovable, real and personal) embracing land and buildings, plant and machinery, furniture and fittings/equipment and all other business assets.
2. Acquiring, managing and developing estates including facilities and other business concerns with the management of property assets.
3. Securing the optional use of land and its associated resources to meet social and economic needs.
4. Determining the condition of building and their services and advising on their maintenance, alteration and improvement.
5. Determining the economic use of property asset and its associated resources by means of financial appraisal.
6. Selling, buying or letting as an agent, real or personal property or any other interest therein.

DUTIES OF ESVARBON
The enabling Act charges the Registration Board under section 2 of the Act with the following duties:
1. Determining who are Estate Surveyors and Valuers.
2. Determining what standards of knowledge and skill are to be attained by persons seeking to become registered as Estate Surveyors and Valuers and reviewing such standards from time to time for the purpose of raising them.
3. Securing the establishment and maintenance of a register of persons entitled to practice as Estate Surveyors and Valuers and the publication of the lists of such persons.
4. Regulating and controlling the practice of Estate Surveying and Valuation in all its aspects and ramifications
5. Performing the other functions conferred on the Board by the Act. The Board makes rules and regulations that guides the practice of Estate Surveying and Valuation in this country as provided from under section 16 (1) of the Act.

ESVARBON COMMITTEES
The Board operates by Committees and they are five (5) in numbers.
1. Disciplinary Tribunal
2. Investigating Panel
3. Professional Practice Committee
4. Education Committee

The Disciplinary Tribunal of the Board, by virtue of the provisions of second schedule of the enabling law, is quasi judicial. The Tribunal at all times has an Assessor appointed on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Federation.