The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian architects in shaping the country’s built environment.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, made this pledge during a meeting with the leadership of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria in Abuja recently.
Belgore acknowledged the vital role of architects in nation-building, stating, “I understand that when it comes to any structure or building, architects are extremely important; therefore, you can be assured of my cooperation.”
He emphasised that architects transform inhabitable spaces into vibrant, liveable cities, making their contributions indispensable to Nigeria’s urban development.
The Permanent Secretary expressed satisfaction that previous disputes among professional bodies in the built environment had been amicably resolved, adding that the housing sector was now in a stronger position to deliver essential services.
He assured the delegation that the ministry was eager to collaborate with architects to enhance ongoing projects, including the National Housing Programme and the Renewed Hope Housing Projects.
Belgore further reflected on the transformation of Abuja from a forest to a thriving capital city, attributing its development to the expertise of architects.
“Architects had turned a forest into a beautiful, liveable city through their expertise, noting that their role in nation building was very visible for everyone to see,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of ARCON, its president, Dipo Ajayi, stressed the importance of partnership in driving innovation in Nigeria’s architectural landscape.
“Collaborating with the ministry and leveraging the permanent secretary’s expertise will take architecture to new heights and redefine Nigeria’s landscape,” he stated.
Ajayi also reaffirmed ARCON’s readiness to assist the Ministry in various capacities, calling for more empowerment of architects to enable them to implement projects effectively.
“We are ready to support the ministry in every possible way. We seek empowerment that will enable us to maximise our potential in executing and implementing architectural projects for national development,” he added.
