By Julius Peter
More than 100 students of building-related disciplines have participated in the 56th Builders Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), with the event providing an avenue for young professionals to gain practical knowledge and understand the role of policy in housing delivery.
Speaking at the conference, the National President of the National Association of Building Students (NAOBS), Sulaiman Saifuddeen Hamza, said the gathering had provided students with an important opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and benefit from the experiences of senior professionals in the building industry.
Hamza said the conference would expose students to new ideas and practical knowledge that would contribute to their professional development, particularly as they prepare to enter the built environment sector.
According to him, students were able to interact with experienced professionals and learn from their wealth of knowledge and years of practice.
He said, “This conference will help us as students to learn what we did not know before and also have the opportunity to share from the experience of our seniors in the profession.”
He added that the conference had also helped students gain a better understanding of how government policies and other regulatory decisions could influence housing delivery and the development of a sustainable built environment.
The NAOBS president noted that knowledge of policy and advocacy was important for students because the challenges confronting Nigeria’s housing sector could not be addressed through technical skills alone.
He stressed the need for young builders and other professionals in the built environment to understand the relationship between professional practice, government policies, housing development and the broader needs of society.
Hamza disclosed that more than 100 students attended the conference, describing their participation as an indication of the growing interest among young people in the building profession and the need to prepare them adequately for the responsibilities ahead.
The conference, which had the theme, “Repositioning the Building Profession: Advocacy and Policy Influence on Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment,” brought together professionals, students and other stakeholders in the building and construction sector.
The theme underscored the need to reposition the building profession through stronger advocacy, effective engagement with policymakers and the development of policies capable of improving housing delivery and promoting sustainability in Nigeria.
Participants also had the opportunity to exchange ideas on contemporary challenges in the built environment, professional development and the need for greater collaboration between students, professional bodies, practitioners and policymakers.
Hamza’s remarks highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for students to participate in major professional gatherings, arguing that early exposure to industry experts would help bridge the gap between academic learning and practical professional experience.
He said continued engagement between students and senior members of the profession would help inspire the next generation of builders while equipping them with the knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria’s housing sector.
The conference therefore served not only as a platform for professional deliberations but also as an avenue for nurturing young talents and preparing students to take up future leadership roles in the building profession.
As Nigeria continues to face housing challenges and the need for sustainable infrastructure, stakeholders at the conference stressed the importance of a well-positioned building profession capable of contributing to effective housing policies, quality construction and sustainable development.
