The Nigerian Institute of Building has unveiled a new intensive programme aimed at boosting capacity development and mentorship for students, probationers, and early-career professionals in the building sector. The initiative was announced during the investiture ceremony of the newly sworn-in NIOB President, Bldr Daniel Kolade, held in Abuja on Wednesday. He said the programme is driven by the understanding that the future of the construction industry depends largely on younger professionals who are entering the field.
Kolade explained that his administration will prioritise innovation and research to support growth in the building profession, while also strengthening entrepreneurial development and updating professional regulations and ethics. He noted that the institute will continue to push advocacy and influence policy within the sector to improve industry standards and enhance professional development. According to him, “The future of our profession lies in the hands of our young builders. This administration will intensify capacity development and mentorship programmes, targeted at students, probationers, and early-career professionals.”
He added that collaboration with training institutions will be expanded to support Recognition of Prior Learning, skills acquisition, and competency certification to ensure wider access to relevant opportunities. Kolade emphasised that young Nigerians already play an active role in construction and said, “The youth are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are the builders of today as ‘tomorrow starts NOW’.”
The NIOB President also highlighted plans to broaden partnerships with agencies to strengthen national development efforts. He stated that “Our ongoing partnership with agencies such as the Nigerian Correctional Service on skills development will also be expanded, creating real pathways for empowerment and national reintegration,” adding that such collaborations will support job creation and skills advancement in the building industry.
Chairman of the occasion and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, called for policies that recognise, regulate, and reward competence and ethical standards in the construction sector. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among builders, architects, and engineers to prevent professional overlap. “The problem in the building industry is that one person wants to do everything. An architect wants to be an engineer, a civil engineer wants to be an architect, and a surveyor wants to do it all. That is not right,” Mustapha said.
Nigeria’s building and construction industry continues to play a key role in employment creation, housing delivery, and infrastructure development. However, persistent issues such as building collapses, inadequate supervision, and poor workmanship underline the importance of improved standards, research, ethical compliance, and capacity building for professionals across the sector.
