Builders’ Institute Targets Young Graduates, Students For Capacity Devt

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) is undertaking intensive capacity development and mentorship for students, probationers, and early-career professionals in the building profession.

The newly sworn-in President of the NIB, Bldr. Daniel Abimbola Kolade, at his investiture ceremony yesterday, in Abuja, noted that the action was based on the fact that the future of their profession lies in the hands of the younger generation of builders.

Kolade, who also emphasised that his administration will invest massively in Innovation and Research, also listed other areas of concentration to include Entrepreneurial Development, improving and updating Professional Regulation and Ethics, adding that they will engage in Advocacy programs and influencing Policies within the institute.

The president, who also promised to strengthen collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and training institutions on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), skills

acquisition, and competency certification, which explained that the Institute’s ongoing partnership with agencies such as the Nigerian Correctional Service on skills development will be expanded to create real pathways for empowerment and national reintegration.

The chairman of the occasion, a former Secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, advocated for policies that recognise, regulate, and reward professional competence and ethical standards in the building environment.

Mustapha, who called for synergy and collaboration in the built environment, especially between builders, architects, and engineers, also warned against professional encroachment.

“The problem of the building industry is that one person wants to do everything. An architect wants to be an engineer, while the civil engineers want to be architects. One surveyor would like to do it all. That is not right”, he lamented.