Building institute urges builders to lead policy formulation

The Nigerian Institute of Building has tasked built-environment professionals with playing a greater role in shaping housing policies and driving the delivery of safe, affordable and sustainable housing across Nigeria.

The institute made the call in a statement issued on Monday, as it announced plans for its 56th Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting scheduled to hold from August 18 to 22.

The President of the NIOB, Abimbola Kolade, FNIOB, said the active involvement of professional builders in policymaking was critical to achieving Nigeria’s development aspirations.

Kolade said the institute was committed to ensuring that the building profession took its rightful place in shaping policies, raising professional standards and contributing meaningfully to the country’s socio-economic development.

He emphasised that the expertise and leadership of professional builders were crucial to addressing the nation’s housing challenges, stressing that their responsibilities must extend beyond construction to active participation in policy formulation and implementation.

According to the statement, “He emphasised that the expertise and leadership of professional builders are crucial to addressing the nation’s housing challenges, stressing that the role of builders must extend beyond construction to active participation in policy formulation and implementation.

“He identified key areas requiring sustained professional advocacy to include: National housing programmes and policies; Affordable and quality housing delivery; Effective enforcement of building regulations and standards; Sustainable infrastructure development; and Skills development, professional training and workforce certification.

“The NIOB President noted that effective collaboration between government, professionals, industry stakeholders and other relevant institutions remains essential to achieving a safe, affordable and sustainable built environment,” the statement noted.

• Badenoch’s Conservatives propose ban on social housing for foreign nationals in England
• FHA clears N12bn debt, remits N3bn to FG, says MD
• FG plans housing regulation as sector hits N77tn contribution

The Third Vice-President of the institute and Chairman of the Marketing and Corporate Affairs Committee, Adeshina Aladeloba, FNIOB, said arrangements had been concluded to host builders, policymakers, corporate organisations and other stakeholders in the built environment at the annual conference and AGM.

He said the conference would provide a strategic platform for professionals and stakeholders to examine critical issues affecting the building industry, exchange knowledge and develop practical approaches towards repositioning the profession and improving housing delivery in Nigeria.

Earlier, the National Publicity Secretary of the NIOB, Usenobong Atangaedi, MNIOB, said the positive response from builders, corporate organisations and other stakeholders demonstrated the growing commitment of professionals to advancing advocacy for safe, quality and sustainable housing delivery.

He stressed that the need for repositioning should not be limited to the building profession alone, noting that all professions within the built environment must collectively embrace the required paradigm shift in the construction industry.

According to him, “The challenges confronting Nigeria’s built environment require a collective professional approach. Builders, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, estate surveyors and valuers, planners and other relevant professionals must work together to drive the standards, policies and innovations required to deliver a safer, more sustainable and resilient built environment.”

The 56th Builders’ Conference and AGM is expected to bring together builders, policymakers, government representatives, corporate organisations, development partners, academics and other stakeholders for high-level discussions on the future of the building profession and housing delivery in Nigeria.

The conference will also provide opportunities for professional networking, knowledge exchange, industry exhibitions and engagement with key stakeholders on policies and initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s built environment.