Architect Mobolaji Adeniyi, outgoing NIA President
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has cautioned against the rising number of unlicensed practitioners in the construction sector, saying their activities pose significant threats to public safety and structural integrity.
The Institute also disclosed that architecture contributes roughly six per cent to Nigeria’s GDP, valued at about N6.17 trillion annually.
Outgoing NIA President Mobolaji Adeniyi disclosed at the Institute’s 65th Biennial General Assembly in Abuja. She stressed that architecture is a core driver of national development, economic activity, and global tourism, noting that economies such as Dubai owe much of their growth to architectural innovation.
Adeniyi said the profession supports thousands of artisans and remains central to the construction value chain. She linked recurring building collapses to poor regulation and the use of unqualified personnel, insisting that only registered architects should lead building projects to avoid structural failures.
Incoming President Sani Saulawa echoed her concerns, stating that the NIA has no record of collapses involving certified members.
He warned those without professional training against taking up architectural roles for monetary gain, noting that investigations consistently show the absence of registered architects at collapse sites.
The Institute pledged to strengthen oversight and promote ethical compliance across the built environment.
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