The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has unveiled a comprehensive framework to operationalize the School of Architectural Technicians in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The initiative, approved by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, is set to transform the Kuje Centre into a national hub for technical education, skill acquisition, and innovation in Nigeria’s built environment sector.
According to ARCON President, Arc. Sir (Dr.) Dipo Ajayi, FNIA, the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes youth empowerment, technical competence, and professional excellence. He described the initiative as a reflection of the bold and people-centered approach of the current administration.
ARCON’s action plan for the Centre includes a three-week summer skill acquisition camp scheduled for August 2025, targeting primary and junior secondary school pupils. The programme will be fully sponsored and free of charge, with a focus on integrating practical skills into early education. From October 2025, artisan certification programmes in masonry, plumbing, tiling, POP design, painting, floor finishes, and electrical installation will commence to equip artisans with industry-standard competencies.
The Council has established partnerships with organizations such as Dulux Paint, Association of Tilers of Nigeria, So Tech Africa Limited, Project Management Institute, Enable Green Consulting, and Costech Computers to provide specialized training and certifications. In addition, ARCON has initiated registration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to formally integrate the Centre into Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scheme.
Efforts are also underway to deepen grassroots impact. During a recent courtesy visit to the President General of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), discussions focused on sponsoring local government staff for training at the Centre and embedding architects within the structures of all 774 local government areas nationwide. ARCON is concurrently developing security enhancement measures to safeguard all participants, facilitators, and visitors at the Centre.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ministry’s vision and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda by building a nation where technical competence meets global standards, opportunities are widely accessible, and the architecture and construction industries become pillars of national development. ARCON described the initiative as more than just an education project but a legacy effort aimed at laying the foundation stones for Nigeria’s brighter future.
