The Taraba State chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Architects, NIA, has identified the infiltration of unqualified individuals into the building profession as a major cause of the frequent building collapses in Taraba and the country at large.
During the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the institute, in Jalingo, the state capital, the members expressed concern over the rising trend of non-professionals handling critical aspects of building projects in both the state and across the nation.
They stressed that these individuals, often emboldened by the availability of new technologies, bypass essential standards and safety measures.
Presenting a paper, Arch Bulus Umar Bello of the Taraba State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development emphasized the urgent need for architects to reclaim their leadership role in the construction industry.
He pointed out that many architects in Nigeria fail to obtain the necessary licenses and registrations, creating a vacuum that allows unqualified individuals to take over their responsibilities.
“To address this issue, the government must ensure that only licensed professionals handle the design and construction of buildings,” Bello urged.
He also criticized the use of substandard materials, which he said do not meet the benchmarks set by the Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON
Supporting the position of Bello, Arc. Hadizah Bello Yero, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, also attributed many building collapses to the absence of professional architects in the design and supervision processes.
“Our profession has been hijacked by quacks,” she lamented. “With the advent of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, anyone with basic computer skills can produce designs without adhering to professional standards.”
She called on the government to enforce stringent laws requiring certified professionals to oversee all stages of building projects.
Arc. Hadizah also advised members of the profession to uphold ethical standards and avoid cutting corners in their work, urging strict adherence to regulations to protect the integrity of the industry.
Arc. Ibrahim Muhammad, Chairman of the NIA Taraba Chapter, encouraged the public to always hire certified professionals for construction projects.
“Engaging trained and registered architects is key to ensuring the safety and durability of buildings,” he said.