The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) is moving to make energy efficiency a core requirement of architectural practice, with plans to introduce new competency standards and certification for energy-efficient building design.
The initiative is part of a partnership between ARCON and the German development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), to strengthen the capacity of architects and other built-environment professionals across the country.
Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, the partners will review and update Energy Efficient Building Design (EEBD) competency standards and training materials, establish a national training network, and develop a certification framework for professionals.
The move could eventually affect architectural education, professional examinations and continuing professional development, given ARCON’s statutory responsibility for regulating architectural education, registration, training and practice in Nigeria.
The agreement brings together three GIZ-supported programmes – the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) and Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) – under the Just Transition and Inclusion (JTI) Cluster.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ARCON President, Arc. (Sir) Oladipupo Ajayi, said the building sector had a major impact on energy consumption, environmental sustainability, urban resilience and quality of life.
He said architects must therefore lead in promoting energy-efficient buildings, climate-responsive designs and sustainable construction.
‘Architects must therefore promote energy-efficient buildings, climate-responsive design, sustainable construction and inclusive development,’ Ajayi said.
He described the agreement as a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity development, innovation and practical action, stressing the need to ensure the benefits of sustainability extend to all sections of society.
Ajayi said ARCON was committed to working with its partners to integrate energy efficiency and sustainability into professional development, architectural education and building delivery.
The Registrar of ARCON, Arc. Mohammed Itopa Sule, said the agreement marked an important step towards advancing energy efficiency, sustainable buildings, climate-responsive design, inclusion and a just transition in the built environment.
In his vote of thanks, Sule pledged that ARCON would translate the MoU into practical programmes, improved building practices and measurable impact.
He commended GIZ Nigeria, ECOWAS, NESP, CoM SSA, and PEEB for their support and confidence in ARCON.
The ceremony was opened by GIZ Nigeria and the ECOWAS Country Director, Dr. Markus Wagner, with opening remarks delivered by Dr. Karin Jansen, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Abuja.
Sharon Kaburuk, Head of Component, Capacity Development at NESP, presented an overview of the agreement, and Jochen Rudolph, Cluster Coordinator, Just Transition and Inclusion Cluster, also participated in the ceremony.
The partnership matters because decisions made during design and specification can determine a building’s energy performance throughout its lifespan.
ARCON operates under the Architects (Registration, Etc.) Act and is responsible for accrediting architectural programmes in Nigerian universities and polytechnics, registering architects, and regulating professional training, conduct and practice.
The competency standards developed under the partnership could therefore be incorporated into curriculum expectations, professional examinations, and mandatory continuing professional development.
NESP supports Nigeria’s sustainable energy transition through skills, institutional and systems development in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
PEEB Cool focuses on energy efficiency and climate resilience in the building sector, while CoM SSA works with cities and municipalities on sustainable energy and climate planning and developing projects that can attract financing.
The partners said the signing marked the beginning of the initiative.
The immediate phase will focus on technically revising competency standards, developing training materials, and designing the certification framework before rolling out training through the proposed national network.