CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA
Ikoli, Bioghoemiye Dennis
Department of Architecture,
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt
email.ikolidennis@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
This paper seeks to take a critical view on the challenges and prospects of architectural practice in Nigeria. Architectural practice has always been seen by architects and students of the discipline as a tough and stressful terrain. This, indeed is connected to the obvious demands of the training of architects, characterized by long hours of studio work and jury, this does not end at the schools of architecture but continues through the practice life. There are challenges both within the profession and outside the profession. Several of these challenges have serious implications on the training of architects and the practicing of architecture in the country. This paper aims at providing pathways towards addressing the challenges and analyzing the prospects of an architect in Nigeria. The paper adopts a qualitative research approach while presenting findings from in-depth interviews from architects in practice and related literatures. The study observed that most of the challenges are as a result of the shortcomings of the products from the schools; practice demands, government policies. The paper concludes with the recommendations that certain areas of study of architecture such as specifications writing, understanding of planning and building laws, regulations and entrepreneurship studies, in architecture should be given intensified attention in the training institutions. The need for architects to reach out socially through all available media within the ambits of the law to promote commissions while being actively involved in the activities of their professional bodies was found to be a crucial path to practice success. Finally, partnerships and collaborations between architects and firms is assuredly a path towards promoting stronger, healthier and enduring architectural businesses.
Keywords: Architectural practice, challenges, prospects, profession, Architects.