The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has kicked off its summer skills acquisition camp in Abuja, offering secondary school students practical training in masonry, plumbing, tiling, painting, and interior design at the School of Architectural Technicians Scheme (SATS). The programme, organised in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, is designed to inspire and equip young Nigerians with the technical and creative skills needed to shape the country’s built environment.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa, represented by the Director and Head of Public Buildings and Housing Development, Pemi Temitope, praised the initiative as a forward-looking investment. “We are investing in the future workforce of Nigeria,” he said. “The true foundation of national development is not merely in bricks and mortar, but in the hands that mould them, the minds that design them, and the skills that sustain them.”

Dangiwa explained that the Federal Government’s recent inclusion of 15 compulsory skills into basic education was a deliberate move to bridge the skills gap. “It is a declaration that every Nigerian child must be equipped not only with theoretical knowledge but with practical, employable skills that foster self-reliance and national productivity,” he noted.

ARCON President Dr. Dipo Ajayi described the camp as a milestone for the profession and the education sector. “While this camp may seem like a small step as a pioneer edition, it is a giant leap towards making skill acquisition a mainstream component of our educational and professional development landscape,” he said. “Our vision is for this centre to evolve into a hub of excellence, where hard and soft skills are built, relevant research conducted, and cross-fertilisation of ideas thrives to advance Nigeria’s built environment.”

Also speaking at the event, Mohammed Sule expressed ARCON’s pride in contributing to the national goal of producing a skilled and innovative workforce. “Through this initiative, we are sowing seeds that will empower the next generation of professionals, innovators, and responsible citizens,” he said, adding that similar camps will be replicated across all geopolitical zones in the country.

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Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) at the ministry, Dangiwa reiterated the need for what he termed a ‘surgical’ overhaul of the Act to realign its mandate with the present-day realities and future needs.

“As you get ready to start work, I also want to draw your attention to the fact that the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act 2004 being a statute created by the National Assembly needs immediate and urgent review and update by way of Amendment.

READ ALSO: JUST-IN: Dangiwa Tasks New ARCON Council on Professionalism, Result Delivery

The Act needs a surgical review to align its mandate with the realities of today and beyond. The Ministry under my watch would encourage this Council to urgently begin work on this amendment. We should aim to remove all areas of ambiguities.

“We should incorporate the right to exist and function with the common objective of promoting the Profession, in accordance with the provision of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended (which give Right to Freedom of Association), accordingly,” he asserted.

Expressing concern over the recurring incidents of building collapses in the nation, the minister pointed to the detrimental impact on both the country and the reputation of the Architecture in the country.
He stressed the need for ARCON to redouble its efforts in addressing this pressing issue.

READ ALSO: Architects’ Association Warns Minister Against Inaugurating ARCON Amid Court Case

“I must also not fail to draw the attention of this Council to the incessant incidences of building collapse in our country. The recurring phenomenon has led to loss of lives, and waste of resources and brought shame to the profession and the housing sector.

This Council must therefore be committed from inception to play its part by promoting accountability, transparency through the implementation of initiatives that would enhance good governance in the built environment by bringing registered architects to uphold ethical conduct and integrity,” He concluded

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Dangiwa made this known while making his inaugural speech at the Inauguration of the 14th Council in Abuja, recently.

He urged the new members of the council to shun all Cold wars and Differences that have plagued the council and work together to reposition the prospects of the Profession in the Country.

READ ALSO: Architects’ Association Warns Minister Against Inaugurating ARCON Amid Court Case

The Minister Further tasked the Council on the enormous work ahead to restore Sanity in the Profession in view of current economic trends.

Dangiwa also emphasized that the current administration remains committed to changing the narrative of the housing sector, and the Council had a part to play.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Minister of Housing, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, Championing Renewed Hope Agenda on Housing, Reforms, and Reactivation of Abandoned Projects

The inauguration was sealed with the issuance of letters to the members of the newly-constituted Council by the Minister. In attendance at the event were the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development , Alh. Tijjani Gwarzo, Architects from various States and other stakeholders in the Industry.

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In a letter by its lawyers dated Friday, 19^th January, 2024 and received by the Minister which is sighted the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects expressed that inaugurating new Council members for ARCON while an Appeal is pending at the Court of Appeal over membership status of an entity invited to nominate members will be violating the rule of law which the Minister swore to uphold.

The Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects had instituted a civil suit with Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/1085/2021 between The Incorporated Trustees of Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects vs. Architects Registration Council of Nigeria & 6 Ors where it alleged that the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (as 3^rd Defendant) registered in November, 2013 with the Corporate Affairs Commission usurped the roles assigned to a Nigerian Institute of Architects mentioned under the Architects (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. A19, L.F.N., 2004; and its activities of establishing and operating a tertiary educational institution contrary to the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act were illegal and promoted quackery in the architectural profession. In furtherance of its usurpation of the Nigerian Institute of Architects mentioned under the Architects (Registration, etc.) Act, the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigeria Institute of Architects also nominates its members to constitute ARCON which is a subject of the suit now on appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The Association also alleged that the Minister of Housing & Urban Development who is the supervising Minister for architectural profession in Nigeria has, through his officers and in concert with the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigeria Institute of Architects concluded plans to reconstitute and inaugurate ARCON on Tuesday, 23^rd January, 2024 while the subject of constitution of members of ARCON, among other issues, has not yet been finally resolved by the court before whom the case is pending.

The Minister was further reminded of the position of the law in Gov., Lagos State vs. Ojukwu (1986) 1 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 18) p. 621 @ 637 to the effect that where a suit is pending, all activities affecting the res are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the case is pending, and the hands of the defendant who has notice are effectually tied pending a hearing and determination even though no restraining order be issued. The Letter which was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice and signed by C.E.C. Njoku, Esq. (Counsel to Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects) cautioned the Minister to be wary of participating in conducts that will run contrary to the staunch commitment to the defence of the rule of law of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration by inaugurating the new Council members of ARCON on Tuesday, 23^rd January, 2024. It ended by asserting his willingness to carrying out his client’s instruction of initiating contempt proceedings against the Minister, among other options, should the Minister defiantly proceed with the inauguration and reconstitution of ARCON.

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Source: thenigerialawyer

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