Edith CHUKU
Ahead of its forthcoming 56th Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting, the Nigerian Institute of Building NIOB, has charged builders to move beyond construction and play a greater role in shaping affordable, safe and sustainable housing delivery.
NIOB gave this charge in a statement made available to TNN on Sunday, by the National Publicity Secretary and Secretary, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Committee(M&CAC), Mr Usenobong Emmanuel Atangaedi.
As part of efforts to address Nigeria’s housing deficit, the national builders association called for stronger professional advocacy and policy influence by builders and other built-environment professionals.
The annual conference and general meeting is scheduled to hold from Tuesday, August 18, to Saturday 22, 2026, in Abuja.
NIOB President, Bldr. Abimbola Daniel Kolade, FNIOB, described the theme of the conference, “Repositioning the Building Profession: Advocacy and Policy Influence on Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment,” as timely and critical to Nigeria’s development aspirations.
His words: “The theme underscores the institute’s collective resolve to ensure that the building profession takes its rightful place in shaping policies, raising professional standards and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“The expertise and leadership of professional builders are crucial to addressing the nation’s housing challenges.
“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 remained essential to achieving a safe, affordable and sustainable built environment.
Also speaking, the 3rd Vice President of the Institute and Chairman of the Marketing and Corporate Affairs Committee (M&CAC), Bldr. Dr. Adeshina Aladeloba, FNIOB, revealed that all arrangements have been concluded to host builders, policymakers, corporate organisations and other stakeholders in the built environment at the annual conference and AGM.
He stated that the conference provides 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, NIOB publicity secretary, Usenobong Emmanuel Atangaedi, said “the positive response from builders, corporate organisations and other stakeholders in the built environment demonstrates the growing commitment of professionals to advancing advocacy for safe, quality and sustainable housing delivery.
“The need for repositioning should not be limited to the building profession alone, all professions within the built environment must collectively embrace the required paradigm shift in the construction industry.
“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 capable of transforming Nigeria’s built environment.
