Thomas Adeoye, Chairman, Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB)
The Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for stronger collaboration among construction professionals to reduce project abandonment, substandard work, and building collapses in Nigeria.
Chairman Thomas Adeoye spoke ahead of the Institute’s 34th Lagos Builders’ Conference, highlighting that poor coordination among architects, engineers, builders, and quantity surveyors often results in inaccurate cost estimates, flawed project execution, and structural failures.
He commended the government’s efforts to involve professional bodies in regulatory oversight, saying that collaboration can help detect and prevent risks. Adeoye also urged investment in research for affordable, locally sourced building materials to lower construction costs and address Nigeria’s housing deficit.
Vice Chairman Rasheed Ayoola said the forum, themed “Collaboration, Cooperation and Inclusiveness for Successful and Sustainable Building Delivery,” will bring together stakeholders to discuss sustainable construction and promote safer housing.
He noted that abandoned projects often stem from poor planning, wrong assumptions, and exclusion of qualified professionals, which compromise material quality and workmanship.
Ayoola also stressed the negative impact of professional rivalry in the industry and called for increased access to housing finance through mortgages and developer support.
Both leaders emphasised that sustainable progress requires every professional to be engaged from design through delivery, with cooperation as the key to safer, more efficient building practices.
5. (Professional Institution)
NIOB Encourages Graduates to Seek Mentorship Opportunities
The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has urged graduates, students, and young professionals to embrace mentorship and intensive capacity development to strengthen early-career foundations in the construction industry.
Newly sworn-in NIOB President Daniel Kolade, speaking at his investiture in Abuja, outlined plans to empower the next generation through innovation, research, and professional growth.
He emphasised that the profession’s future depends on the technical skills, ethical grounding, and entrepreneurial capacity of young practitioners.
Kolade said his administration would prioritise programmes for skills acquisition, leadership development, and competency certification. He also highlighted plans to expand collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education and the Nigerian Correctional Service to create pathways for training, empowerment, and national reintegration.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, praised NIOB’s commitment to professional excellence and called for policies recognising competence and ethics in the sector.
He warned against inter-professional rivalry, noting that architects, engineers and surveyors must respect disciplinary boundaries and work collaboratively.
Kolade and Mustapha both stressed that sustained collaboration, mentorship and ethical practice are critical to ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability in Nigeria’s built environment.
