The Nigerian Institute of Architecture (NIA) and the Federal Government of Nigeria have been urged to collaborate to ensure policies that will promote the use of local materials and sustainable building practices are developed.
A trustee of the Africa Union of Architects, Tokunbo Omisore, stated this at the 63rd Annual General Meeting of the NIA in Abuja, where the institute’s Gold Medal Award was conferred on him.
According to Omisore, such collaboration between the NIA and the Federal Government might involve providing incentives for projects that prioritise locally sourced materials and sustainable designs, as well as developing building codes that encourage the use of cost-effective and environmentally friendly construction methods.
According to him, by adopting these strategies, Sub-Saharan Africa with the leadership of the NIA would resolve the challenges associated with imported architecture and architectural materials, thereby promoting affordability, sustainability, and self-reliance within the region’s construction and design sectors.
He urged the FG to promote made-in-Nigeria building materials, provide incentives to manufacturers and discourage through taxation imported ones to create employment and improve the foreign exchange and the economy.
Omisore noted that Africa, through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, should encourage buying Africa’s needs within the continent to alleviate poverty.
Omisore lamented that Africans particularly Nigerian architects “have been complicit in promoting a culture of buying what we cannot afford. Our revered buildings are often judged based on the specification of materials and components that are not produced locally but imported. We can acquire these items, but they are beyond our financial means.
“Our economic situation will not improve if we continue to buy what is beyond our means.”
The past president of the Africa Union of Architects (AUA) used the occasion to acknowledge the efforts of a foremost Nigerian architect, Demas Nwoko, as one who promoted indigenous architecture.
“This year, the Arts and Architecture World celebrate our own Demas Nwoko as the recipient of the Lifetime Gold Award at the 18th Venice Biennial, which took place from May 20 to November 26, 2023.
“This prestigious award recognises and promotes affordable and indigenous Afrocentric architecture. We can afford to prioritise such architecture, but we hesitate to invest in it.
“To address the issue of imported architecture and architectural materials in Sub-Saharan Africa, I reiterate the need to: Embrace local materials in conjunction with our research and development; foster local architectural innovation and provide training and education,” he said.
