Member, International Women in Architecture; Abimbola Ajayi; Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Ikorodu Branch; Victor Achime, President, Nigerian Institute of Architects; Enyi Ben-Eboh, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Lagos Chapter; David Majekodunmi and General Secretary, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Lagos Chapter, Moniba Odunlami during NIA Founder’s Day / Memorial Lecture of late Michael Olutusen Onafowokan in Lagos.<br />
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos Chapter has called for more involvement of professionals in the housing industry.
The institute had been advocating the domestication of the National Building Code (NBC) to halt building collapse in the country.
Chairman of the chapter, Mr. David Majekodunmi, stated this while addressing journalists in Lagos, on its forthcoming Lagos Architecture Forum (LAF 2022), entitled ‘The city of Lagos.’
He said the yearly forum has remained a platform to promote architectural practices, partnerships and has encouraged government to recognise professionals in policymaking.
According to him, the forum is poised to enhance strategy on housing, development control and infrastructure provision.
Majekodunmi stressed that partnership with the Building Collapse and Prevention Guild (BCPG) and other bodies like structural engineers, surveyors and town planners will also help in curbing the menace of building collapse.
He lamented that the urban centres are degenerating and becoming slums due to human factors and lack of capacity to enforce and effectively monitor such locations.
The initiator of the forum and former chairman of the chapter, Mrs. Abimbola Ajayi, said it was developed 13 years ago to empower architects and improve relationship between practitioners in the built environment and government.
The chairman, local organising committee, Mr. Abiodun Fatuyi, harped on the importance of engaging professionals in building development.
Fatuyi, who is also the vice chairman of Lagos chapter explained that architects are taking advocacy to locations such as Makoko, Ijora Badiya, Ikeja, Yaba and Ojuelegba for people to appreciate the relevance of architects in the day-to-day life.
He said the chapter has created new branches in Ikorodu and planned to establish new ones in Badagry and Epe to ensure coverage of architectural practitioners in Lagos and increase advocacy.
The general secretary of the chapter, Moniba Odunlami, said activities slated for the forum include awareness walk and interaction with the people, while dignitaries expected include Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.