The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has called for intensified research into locally sourced building materials, saying the move is crucial to transforming Nigeria’s construction industry, creating jobs and retaining wealth within the country.

Echono noted that despite progress in the local production of some building materials, about 80 per cent of those used in Nigeria are still imported, underscoring the need for greater investment in research and innovation.

He spoke in Abuja when he hosted the leadership of Female Architects of Nigeria (FAN), led by Arc. Ene Agada at the Fund’s headquarters.

The TETFund boss said there is an urgent need for architects and researchers to explore locally sourced building materials that can drive innovation, reduce import dependence, and strengthen the nation’s economy.

He said: “And I’m particularly worried about this aspect. That is one area that architects have not done well enough. We have been playing lip service to the fact that nearly 80 per cent of our building materials are still imported.

“We have been taking the lead compared to other professions because I’m aware that things like tiling, granite, architects have established businesses. The cable, the electrical cable, the wiring cables that we use, three of them are owned by architects. Compared to what our other colleagues do, we have done very well. But again, if you look at it on a global scale, we are still importing down to doors, windows”.

According to him, the Fund remains committed to supporting research initiatives aimed at developing indigenous building materials capable of transforming Nigeria’s building industry.

He noted that promoting local content in the construction sector would not only create jobs and boost industrial growth but also help retain wealth within the country by reducing the huge foreign exchange spent on imports.

He acknowledged the impact of female architects on social aspects of the profession and encouraged them to continue their efforts.

Earlier in her remarks, Arc. Agada called for a strategic partnership between the Fund and the association to advance affordable housing, green building initiatives, mentorship programmes and professional capacity development in Nigeria.

She said the proposed collaboration aligns with TETFund’s mandate of promoting education, research and innovation, adding that it would help address Nigeria’s housing deficit, promote environmental sustainability and strengthen women’s participation in the built environment.

She identified affordable, inclusive and climate-responsive housing as one of FAN’s priority areas, urging the agency to support applied design research and prototype development of adaptable housing models suited to local realities.

According to her, research outcomes should be translated into practical tools such as design manuals, guidelines and implementation-ready documents that can support housing stakeholders and policymakers.

On sustainable construction, Agada proposed joint initiatives to strengthen research and skills in energy-efficient retrofitting and climate-responsive designs for public buildings, including schools, clinics and offices.

She also advocated support for demonstration projects on sustainable building materials and locally informed construction strategies that could be adopted by universities and industry practitioners.

The FAN chairperson further called for structured mentorship and training programmes that would connect experienced architects with students and early-career professionals, noting that architecture studio-based learning should be geared towards producing practical and implementable solutions.

She urged TETFund to consider sponsoring international exposure opportunities for selected female architects through exchange programmes, short courses and visiting expert initiatives, with beneficiaries expected to transfer acquired knowledge locally.

Agada also sought support for continuous professional development programmes targeted at improving practical competence in housing delivery and green building practices.

She expressed confidence that a partnership between FAN and TETFund would deliver education-driven and community-centred outcomes through research, innovation, training and practical solutions for national development.

To facilitate the collaboration, she proposed the identification of relevant TETFund funding windows, the convening of a joint working session between both organisations, and the development of flagship projects combining funded research, mentorship, pilot activities and knowledge dissemination.

The association also presented the FAN Award of Excellence to the Executive Secretary of TETFund in recognition of his outstanding performance in public service and unwavering support for female architects in Nigeria.