The Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development have reiterated their commitment to addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit and fostering sustainable urban development.

During a courtesy visit by the NIA leadership to his office, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving affordable and sustainable housing.

In response to the NIA’s concerns about the housing deficit, urban planning, and community engagement, Belgore stated that these issues align with the Ministry’s presidential deliverables and expressed his support for the institute’s partnership in addressing them.

The President of the NIA, Mobolaji Adeniyi, noted the institute’s dedication to tackling housing challenges through “strategic collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.”

He emphasised that “effective partnership” was crucial to solving Nigeria’s housing crisis, noting that the institute was ready to “introduce innovative designs, promote the use of sustainable materials, and enhance community engagement to create more inclusive and resilient urban spaces.”

Adeniyi also urged the transfer of the Building Materials Standards Organisation from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to the Ministry of Housing.

He argued that this move would “strengthen regulatory oversight, tackle the proliferation of substandard building materials, and curb the increasing cases of building collapses across the country.”

Meanwhile, Belgore recognized the problem of building collapses, particularly in new constructions, and highlighted the need for better quality control.

He emphasized the Ministry’s efforts to standardize certification for construction artisans, stating, “We are building schools, and we want to have a situation where every artisan has a certification.”