Ajayi returns as ARCON president, urges creativity, innovation in architecture

The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the regulatory body for the architecture profession in Nigeria, has been reconstituted and Dipo Ajayi, immediate past president of the council, re-elected as its president in a keenly contested election.

Ajayi who defeated Kabiru Ibrahim, the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) favoured candidate, urges young and newly registered architects to embrace creativity and innovation in their practice of architecture as a profession.

The new president, whose charge was contained in his inaugural speech, noted that a new chapter has opened in the journey of their profession, adding, “as we move forward together, I urge us all to embrace the spirit of cooperation, unity, and commitment.

Let us celebrate our diversity and harness our collective strengths to elevate our profession and create a lasting impact. Let us work together to build a brighter future for architecture in Nigeria, where creativity thrives, innovation flourishes, and our contributions make a difference in the lives of our people.”

He assured those who are yet to be registered of his commitment to support their growth, promising that, “as a Council, we recognize the challenges you face and are working tirelessly to create opportunities for your development and licensure. Keep pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation, and know that your contributions will shape the future of our profession.”

He charged the newly inaugurated members to remember that their success is inextricably linked to their ability to work together towards a common goal, urging all to stand united, support one another, and strive for excellence in all they do.

Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of housing and urban development, also charged the council members to see their nomination as a call to service, urging each of them to strive, in the conduct of this assignment, to be selfless, professional, above board and focused on the interest of the profession, the country and the teeming architects in our country.

“You should consider it an honour and privilege to be chosen out of many equally qualified and outstanding architects to serve as a council member,” the minister said, adding, “this distinction and your nomination come with high responsibility and you must be alive to the expectations of the architectural profession and the trust bestowed upon you.”

Continuing, he said, “as we inaugurate the ARCON Council today, I want to specifically charge the members to ensure that there is peace in the house of Architecture in Nigeria. This is very important.

Without a peaceful environment, there can never be meaningful progress. As a revered profession, we must demonstrate unity. We must demonstrate the ability to organize ourselves. We must show that we can lead the industry. This must be evident in the way our organizations conduct themselves.”

Those inaugurated included Ajayi, the president, Mohammed Aminu Kani, Vice President, Umar Murnai, the Registrar of the Council, and Ugwuanyi Onyedikachi Odobuma, the Treasurer.