Students of Nile University of Nigeria have said that architecture provides life-changing opportunities for young Nigerians who study it.
Speaking while on an excursion to the site of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Staff Housing Estate at the Jabi-Idu axis of Abuja, the 100-level students of architecture said the huge housing deficit in the country presented young people unlimited opportunities in architecture.
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A student, Abdulmalik Ibrahim, said his father was into real estate and that it motivated him to go into architecture to design and execute housing projects across Nigeria.
Ibrahim who revealed that he spent weekends on sites learning building techniques from his father, said, “If you look at developments in Nigeria now, you will see that architecture is starting to take its ground, and in terms of job opportunities, there are more developments these days. More projects keep coming, and whenever I go out, I see new estates coming up,” and therefore encouraged youths to study architecture because “it is a very fun course, especially if you love it.”
Another student, Ebimoboere Celine Endoni, said architecture was “quite rigorous” but life-changing. It’s not just theory, it is also practical and creative.”
She expressed hope that she would use the knowledge gained to advance shelter solutions in the country.
Nile University’s Director of Physical Planning and Development, Arc Nike Bamisaye, said the institution deliberately exposed the students to practicals at the site to improve their appreciation of architecture.
Arc Bamisaye said, “We want them to have a feel of what an estate is like. Some of the things they were taught in classes; this is an opportunity for them to see how they relate to reality.”
A lecturer with Nile, Dr Abubakar Isah, said Nigeria had about a 17 million housing deficit, and hence that more architects were needed to bridge the gap.
Dr Isah said the students were being trained to assist in solving the housing challenge in the country.
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