The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for greater involvement of builders and other built-environment professionals in shaping housing policies, enforcing construction standards and driving sustainable development as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit.
The institute made the call ahead of its 56th Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting, scheduled to hold from August 18 to 22, 2026, in Abuja.
President of the NIOB, Bldr. (Hon.) Abimbola Daniel Kolade, FNIOB, said the theme of the conference, “Repositioning the Building Profession: Advocacy and Policy Influence on Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment,” was timely and critical to Nigeria’s development aspirations.
Kolade said the theme reflected the institute’s resolve to ensure that the building profession played a more prominent role in policy formulation, professional standards and national development.
He stressed that builders could no longer limit their responsibilities to construction, but must actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies governing housing and the wider built environment.
He identified national housing policies, affordable and quality housing delivery, effective enforcement of building regulations and standards, sustainable infrastructure development, as well as skills development, professional training and workforce certification as areas requiring sustained professional advocacy.
The NIOB president also called for stronger collaboration among government, professionals, industry stakeholders and relevant institutions, saying such cooperation was 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, said arrangements had been concluded for the conference, which would bring together builders, policymakers, corporate organisations and other stakeholders in the built environment.
Aladeloba said the annual gathering would provide a platform to examine critical challenges confronting the building industry, exchange knowledge and develop practical approaches to repositioning the profession and improving housing delivery.
He said the conference would also facilitate professional networking, knowledge exchange, industry exhibitions and engagement with key stakeholders on policies capable of transforming Nigeria’s built environment.
Earlier, the National Publicity Secretary of NIOB, Bldr. Usenobong Emmanuel Atangaedi, MNIOB, said the positive response from builders, corporate organisations and other stakeholders demonstrated growing commitment to advocacy for safe, quality and sustainable housing delivery.
Atangaedi, however, said the required repositioning should not be limited to builders, stressing that all professions within the built environment must embrace a collective approach to addressing challenges in the construction sector.
“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,” he said.
The 56th Builders’ Conference and AGM is expected to attract builders, policymakers, government representatives, corporate organisations, development partners, academics and other stakeholders for discussions on the future of the building profession and housing delivery in Nigeria.
The institute said the conference would also provide an avenue for stakeholders to examine policies and initiatives capable of improving construction standards, strengthening professional practice and promoting sustainable housing and infrastructure development.
