How to improve architecture education and practice – Don

Dr Ibrahim Sani Khalil, immediate past Secretary General of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) teaches Architecture at the Bayero University Kano. He spoke with Daily Trust shortly after the 55th Annual General Assembly and Conference of NIA in Abuja recently. The biennial conference has passed. Elections were held. There was huge turnout of architects. […]

Dr Ibrahim Sani Khalil, immediate past Secretary General of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) teaches Architecture at the Bayero University Kano. He spoke with Daily Trust shortly after the 55th Annual General Assembly and Conference of NIA in Abuja recently.

The biennial conference has passed. Elections were held. There was huge turnout of architects. What led to this large turnout?
The huge turnout is through information dissemination to our members by the secretariat. The secretariat went a long way in making sure that communication with our members is of paramount importance.
Tools were used, largely electronic – text messages were sent, emails were sent to all our members who’re in our databank. We put up adverts in daily newspapers from time to time.
Similarly, activities throughout the last years of 2013-2015 administration have seen a great deal of information dissemination. This brought about the large turnout because people were fully informed of activities of the institute.
How transparent was the election?
The election was very transparent. People were allowed vote based on their conscience.
One thing people complain about is giving too many jobs to expatriates. Moreso, designs are taken outside this country. You’re a teacher of architecture. What makes your products unable to do designs?
There are two aspects of it. One is with the individual. We have about 27 schools of architecture in this country and more are coming up. We’re producing large number of architects. However, there’s what is called Accreditation and Jury. This accreditation is supposed to give in the best for schools to produce architects for Nigeria and for the world – it’s a professional course so it’s not only for Nigeria. But more often than not politics and usage is Build-Operate-and-Transfer or somebody who is financing the project will insist on certain things. These things bedevil the industry.
On the other hand, we have our share where some architects lack in certain things. But I’m very happy with the way this government is coming up with policies. We have to go down the level of having our professionals to do whatever they are supposed to do. They know what to do but more often than not, they’re sidelined because of one personal issue or the other – not that they can’t do it.
But we know that modern-day design is greatly technology assisted. Our level of technological development is low. Don’t you think that’s one of the reasons jobs are given to foreign designers?
I wouldn’t agree with that. Basically, it’s software you’re talking about. The software can be bought. But the whole thing of architecture is creativity. You have to be creative. Nigerian architects are creative. And designs are supposed to be part of that environment. Designs are supposed to reflect the culture, the environment!
We have versatile people who can comfortably use any software you can think of and the teaching of Architecture in our universities takes care of that. Even those who’re very old in the profession are very conversant with all software and can use them effectively.
Has NIA considered doing anything to show the shortcomings of designs done outside the shores of this country?
Yes, a lot of conferences have taken place just like what we’ve had and papers have been presented on a number of issues. And part of it is to do with the Development Control all over Nigeria. If Development Control will allow people who’re not registered to bring in drawings and they approve without going through certification of a professional, then anything can happen.
When drawings are brought from abroad, who should vet them?
By our architects in Nigeria. Before you do any building, it’s supposed to go through Development Control authorities. Of course, there’re planners, architects and engineers there. They have to look at everything that needs be done to guard against incidents. Ventilation aspect, lighting structured by beauty are what are considered before giving approval. So there’s approval process, the implementation of it and even certification that yes, it’s habitable.
In specific terms, what should government do in the area of helping better architecture education and practice?
One, you must train one in the manner that is in compliance with the laws of the land.
Two, this government should ensure funding is given toward the training in architecture as well as other professional courses for us to move forward.
Three, training and retraining of trainees is needed to build capacity for them to be accommodated in the realm of the current situation. And this is through conferences, seminars and further trainings. Application of modern learning tools like the e-books for the universities. Our libraries should be equipped to take care of that.
Then the institute [NIA] like any other is supposed to be the driving force toward implementation of these things. It should examine candidates before they become fully qualified professionals. Whatever it does must be robust, in accordance with the law and with the current practice. Those exams must be practically based. Accreditation is very important. You have equip the schools.
This government can go further to look at the social aspect of what we all are going to do – providing housing. Housing that can solve our housing problem. The land issue is there. The issue of materials, financing the project is there, accessing funding. Those who are supposed to drive these things should be forthcoming and articulated policies like what you call Articulated Housing policy should be fully in place to attract the best for Nigeria.
You ran for office of NIA vice president but you lost. What happened?
The people decided and I believe in what they’ve decided. I strongly believe I have another chance to come. It’s a service to the institute and rendered what I could do in my best way to move the institute forward. It’s on record. Election is something else.
I wish the person who won the best of luck and look forward to the institute doing better than what I left behind as secretary to the institute.