By Olawale Lamina
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has been commended for granting approval for the School of Architectural Technicians to ensure proper training of technicians in architecture in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria informed that the school is located in the Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, according to a statement.
The body emphasized that the council “.. will, among other things, provide high-quality education and hands-on training in architectural technology while enhancing capacity development in the built environment, preparing skilled technicians ready to contribute to Nigeria’s growing architectural and construction sectors.”
President of the Council who led the facility tour in assessing infrastructure, Oladipupo Ajayi, used the occasion to commend the Minister of Housing towards lifting architecture and the built environment.
Ajayi stated that, “This facility has been here. Those who have followed the pronouncements of our supervising minister will agree with me that he is passionate about curbing building collapse in Nigeria. 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.”
He assured that the council would put in place a curriculum that would meet industry standards regulated by ARCON and offer skill acquisition in the built environment.
He revealed that the facility would enrol 200 students in its first academic year, having already entered into discussions with the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE to secure necessary accreditation and certification.
Jayi also said that the centre aimed to enhance professional development programmes for industry practitioners.
“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, ” Ajayi stated, adding that the approval could not have come at a better time.
According to him, “The centre will aid its role of raising the standards from time to time as Nigeria’s urbanisation and infrastructure development creates a significant demand for skilled architectural technicians.
“Facilities available in the centre include offices, classrooms and workshops, seminar rooms, hostels for accommodation, a restaurant serving students and guests, a powerhouse with generator, furniture and office equipment, among others.“
He also listed programmes to be offered to include a diploma in architectural technology, and certificate programmes in building information modelling, project management, sustainable architecture, and construction management.
“There will also be short courses in hard skill acquisition like masonry, plumbing, and electrical installations, tilling, POP installations, among others,” he stated.
The council’s registrar, Sule Utopa, said constant and increasing changes in construction technology informed the establishment of the facility.
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