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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The deal focuses on building stronger engineering skills and promoting innovation across countries linked to the Belt and Road Initiative.

The signing took place at the Belt and Road Forum on Engineering Capacity, held in Chengdu, China. The forum is part of a larger international event focused on science and technology exchange.

This year’s theme was about working together to find new engineering solutions and improve skills in all partner countries. The agreement, supported by 33 global organisations, shows a strong push to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through teamwork and knowledge sharing.

NSE President Margaret Oguntala called the move a big step for Nigeria and Africa. Represented at the event by Olumayowa Idowu, she said the agreement gives African engineers new chances to create real, lasting impact through better training and global partnerships.

The agreement includes six key areas: better education for engineers, shared global standards, ongoing training, ethical practices, innovation, and the exchange of new ideas and research.

With this move, Nigeria now plays a part in a fast-growing global effort to solve real-world problems through smarter, more modern engineering.

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Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, disclosed this directive in Alausa, highlighting its role in enhancing public safety and urban planning.

“Property owners will now be required to install CCTV cameras in all existing buildings with six floors or more along major roads and in all proposed or under-construction buildings of similar height across the state,” Olumide stated. He added that the mandate extends to commercial buildings, which must also comply to secure approvals.

According to the commissioner, the initiative, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aligns with the state’s vision of balancing security with physical planning considerations.

To ensure consistency, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority will establish standardized specifications for CCTV systems. The authority will also oversee regular maintenance and inspection schedules to guarantee functionality.

“The agency will mandate property owners to provide footage to state security agents upon request,” Olumide explained.

The commissioner urged stakeholders to support the initiative, describing it as integral to the state’s smart city aspirations and the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, which aims to create a liveable, organized, and sustainable Lagos.

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