FG allocates Abuja facility for training architects, technicians

The Federal Government has allocated a facility in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja for training technicians in the architecture field.The approval was granted through the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa. The school, located in the quiet serenity of Kuje, will be known as ‘School of Architectural Technicians (SAT).

The facility will provide high-quality education and hands-on training in architectural technology while enhancing capacity development in the built environment, preparing skilled technicians to contribute to the country’s growing architectural and construction sectors.

Conducting members of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) around the facility recently, its President, Oladipupo Ajayi, lauded Dangiwa’s gesture towards lifting architecture and the built environment.

“This facility has been in existence. Those who have followed the pronouncements of our supervising minister will agree with me that he is passionate about curbing building collapse in Nigeria.

“And being a professional in the built environment, he is desirous of enhancing the sector. “Hence, he graciously allotted this place to us to further train and retrain architectural technicians, architects and related professionals in the building industry.

According to him, the council will establish a curriculum that meets industry standards regulated by ARCON and offers skill acquisition in the built environment. According to him, the centre will boost professional development (CPD) programmes for industry practitioners.

Ajayi, who noted that the facility would enrol 200 students in the first academic year, said it had commenced discussions with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for needed accreditation and certification.

The president, who said that the centre aligns with its core responsibility of determining what standards of knowledge and skills persons seeking to become members of the architectural profession need to attain, added this approval could not have come at a better time than now.

Ajayi, who added that the centre will raise the standards from time to time, said Nigeria’s urbanisation and infrastructure development create a significant demand for skilled architectural technicians.

The council’s Registrar, Sule Utopa, said the school became necessary as the industry goes through constant and increasing changes in construction technology.

A council member, Prof Sati Yohana, who expressed delight over the centre, commended Dangiwa for his resolve to enhance the architecture profession. “This training centre will be a game changer in the built sector.

“The centre will expose the middle-level trainees within the sector to the current trends and by so doing, ARCON, would be making much impact on society. Our resource persons will be pulled from the practice and schools of architecture,” he added.