Functions Of Nigerian Institute Of Architects

It was 1960, when the Nigerian Institute of Architects NIA was founded. The body was made up of independent professional architects, and the aims and objectives of the Nigerian Institute of Architects was to foster friendship amongst professional members, as well as, cater for their welfare and enhance mutual support as well as,  cooperation amongst members.

The wisdom for the establishment of the Nigerian Institute of Architect in the country was an idea of three Nigerians, during this time, they were doing their architectural programme in England in the 50s.

Nevertheless, it was in the year 1958, when a study group was established, made up of about eight persons with a sole mandate of planning on how to establish the Nigerian Institute of Architects in Nigeria. This effort was actually culminated to the flagged off of the Institute in Nigeria late 50s.

Today, the Nigerian Institute of Architects had grown phenomenally in the last years. In terms of membership, the institution has registered over six thousand members so far.

The Nigerian Institute of Architects’ influence and activities has eaten deep into the Nigerian nation and other nations of the world, with different classes of membership such as, Full membership, and Fellows and Associates, and Graduates, that is, Students members, cutting actoss the entire nation.

What Are  The Functions Of The Nigerian Institute Of Architects?

The Nigerian Institute of Architects is a policy making body, saddling was the responsibility of driving the professional body to its enviable height through the pursuit of member’s welfare, mutual support and cooperation.

In this article however, I am going to explain some of the functions of this professional body called, the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Hence, the functions of the Nigerian Institute of Architects are carried out through various committees within the institution. Below are some of them.

Board Of Architectural Education

One of the key functions of the Nigerian Institute of Architects is to carry out architectural education. And this function lies with the Board of Architectural Education.

The Board function, is to carry out every educational programmes and educational activities of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

The educational activities include, the visitation of every schools of Architecture in the country, as well as, ensuring that, there is accreditation of architecture discipline in Nigeria colleges.

Moreso, conducting professional practice examinations, and implementing professional development programmes are parts of the functions of the board.

Practice Committee

In every profession,, there is code of conduct, standard and ethics, and therefore, the Nigerian Institute of Architects is not exempted.

And so, the Nigerian Institute of Architects has enforced this principle through its Practice Committee.  To say the least, the Nigerian Institute of Architects is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that there is compliance to the professional practice policies, and programmes, including the ethics of the institution.

International Affairs Committee

As the name implies, the Nigerian Institute of Architects undertakes the initiation of Nigerian Institute of Architect’s policies and, programmes, as well as, other activities that are related to international bodies upon which, the Nigerian Institute of Architects NIA  affiliates through the International Affairs Committee

Students Affairs Committee

This is another function of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, carried out by the Students Affairs Committee. What this committee does is to ensure that, the interest and welfare of architecture students, who are in the tertiary institutions are taken care of, including their integration into the programmes of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Publication And Library Committee

The Nigerian Institute of Architects also carried out its function through the Publication and Library Committee. The publications and library committee has to do with the collection and publication of materials, as well as other write-ups coming from the academics and field of practice, including other matters related to the institute’s mandate. Keeping of stocks, managing of library and maintaining a comprehensive library is the function of this committee.

Public Relations Committee

The Nigerian Institute of Architects also worked thtough its Public Relations committee. This committee, the public relation committee is saddling with the responsibility of ensuring that a good public image of the institute is maintained.

By carrying out this function effectively, the likelihood is that, the Architects and the professional body’s reputations would be protected.

Besides this,, the institute is expected to promote relationship that is cordial with mass media and the public and the authorities, including other  allied professionals and groups and organizations within the institute via diverse or different public relation policies and programmes.

Disciplinary Committee

The Nigerian Institute of Architects do carried out its function through the Disciplinary Committee.. The duty of the disciplinary committee is primarily, that of maintaining high ethical, as well as, professional standards.

The disciplinary committee must ensure that, there is  strict adherence to these ethical and professional standards in accordance to the provisions made in the Nigerian Institute of Architects  Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Archibuilt Committee

This committee is in charge of organizing, and also planning specialized forum annually. The forum provided a platform for the purpose of assessing building materials, and also construction technology, as well as, other programme, provided they meet the desire of the institute.

For instance, publication of the institute’s compendium, and also the publication of archibuilt up-date remained the function of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, undertaken through the Archibuit committee.

Moreso, one  of the many Nigerian Institute of Architects public service programmes is the Archibuilt. Obviously, this however, has complemented the efforts of the federal government including, other interest groups that are working together with a view to develop Nigeria.

The wisdom for the establishment of the Nigerian Institute of Architect in the country was an idea of three Nigerians, during this time, they were doing their architectural programme in England in the 50s.