By Friday Joseph
The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Kogi State Chapter, Arc. John Ochune Attah, MNIA, has led a renewed professional push for practical solutions to the housing challenges confronting Kogi State, as the chapter prepares to host architects and key stakeholders at the 2026 World Architecture Day celebration and Annual General Meeting in Lokoja.
The event, scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Conference Hall, First Floor, Kogi State Ministry of Transportation, Marine Road, Lokoja, is being organised around the theme “Housing is a Human Right. Build It,” adopted from the 2026 World Architecture Day theme of the International Union of Architects (UIA).
Under the leadership of Attah, the Kogi State Chapter is placing the state’s housing challenge at the centre of the celebration, with the conference theme focusing on “Towards Adequate and Affordable Housing for All: Architectural Responses to Kogi State’s Housing Challenge.” The programme is expected to bring together architects, built-environment professionals, government representatives, academics, developers, housing stakeholders and students.
The conference will feature discussions on two major sub-themes: “Providing Adequate and Affordable Housing: A Pathway to Addressing Kogi State’s Housing Deficit” and “Indigenous Building Techniques and available Materials: Towards Affordable and Sustainable Housing in Kogi State.” The sessions are designed to explore practical architectural, planning, financing and policy approaches capable of expanding access to decent and affordable housing.
Among the speakers listed for the event are Arc. Dr. Muhammed Adamu, MNIA, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara; Arc. Isah Obenege Suleiman, MNIA, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; and Arc. Dr. Olanusi Jubrin, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
The programme according to the chairman will also feature Bldr. Adoke Ismaila Ibrahim, Director, Physical Planning and Development , Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara as Guest Speaker and Resource Person, and Bldr. Aisha Orumah-Sylvanus, MNIOB, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB), Kogi State Chapter and second Vice Chairman of the Association of Professional Women Builders of Nigeria (APWBN). Their session will examine the use of indigenous knowledge, readily available materials and cost-effective construction methods for affordable, climate-responsive and culturally appropriate housing.
The Chairman of the occasion is Arc. Dr. Kayode Olinionisi, FNIA, while Arc. Mohammed Sule Itopa, FNIA, MAARCHES, Registrar, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Abuja, is billed as Special Guest of Honour and Keynote speaker.The morning conference session will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm, featuring presentations, question-and-answer sessions and documentaries, while the NIA Kogi State Chapter’s Annual General Meeting will hold from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, providing an opportunity for members to deliberate on professional and organisational matters.
The World Architecture Day celebration, hosted by the NIA Kogi State Chapter under Arc. John Ochune Attah, is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to move beyond discussions about the housing deficit and examine practical pathways towards affordable, sustainable and accessible housing for the people of Kogi State, with particular attention to readily available resources, indigenous construction methods and professional expertise.
