Nigerian Government, Institute of Architects will collaborate on building regulations: Official  

*Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assures the Nigerian Institute of Architects the Federal Government will collaborate with the Institute to ensure proper regulations, to curtail the incidence of incessant building collapse in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has assured the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) that the Federal Government will collaborate with the Institute to ensure proper regulations in order to curtail the incidence of incessant building collapse witnessed in different parts of the country.

Hon Gbajabiamila stated this Wednesday, March 9, 2025, when he received on a courtesy visit, a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, led by its National President, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi, to the State House, Abuja, FCT.

Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations, stated the Chief of Staff noted that every profession has its challenges, and that quackery has remained a major challenge in the industry.

Gbajabiamila also declared that it is imperative for the Institute to intensify its efforts at sanitising the building space in Nigeria.

He said: “I think it is important for proper regulation in the industry; You must address the use of substandard materials leading to building collapse and other associated problems.

“Your body should be able to sue quacks because you have locus. What a quack means is that he is misrepresenting himself as being an architect or as a registered member of your profession, misrepresenting the profession.

“That should give you enough locus to sue for misrepresentation, because you are protecting your profession.”

The former Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives stressed that the government is determined to expand local content utilisation.

He equally recalled that he presented a bill on local content in the building industry as a member of the House of Representatives.

The Chief of Staff noted that architecture is more than a profession, affirming that it embodies culture, space and civilisation:

The CoS said: “Your profession is an integral part of national development. Architecture of a country speaks volumes about the character of a country.

“It is an expression of who they are and what we are and that is why you have people talk about Spanish style, Brazilian architecture as well as English, American buildings or Arabic Style.

“That tells you that architecture is not just a profession but a way of life.”

Reacting to other requests from the body, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila stated that it was important to have a holistic approach to the issue of local content rather than piece – meal legislations on every aspect of the national economy.

He, therefore, advised the Institute to liaise with relevant committees of the National Assembly (NASS) towards achieving some of their requests.

Earlier, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi, National President of NIA and leader of the delegation, said the Institute, formed in 1960, came to seek government’s participation in its 65th Anniversary celebrations slated for May this year.

Arc. Adeniyi said: “Architecture has stood as a representation of society, reflecting the values, aspirations and successes of civilisations over time.”

She also commended the Chief of Staff for his “imprint in the building and construction industry” through his donation of buildings to the University of Lagos.

The National President sought Federal Government’s intervention in the establishment of a Building Regulation Commission as obtained in other sectors to deal effectively with quackery and lack of professionalism.