Architectural Education and Housing Provision in Nigeria

An important component of the human environment is housing, which has been described as a sine qua non for human existence. The quality of housing is an index of the standard of living of a people, and this is indeed of staggering inadequacy in Nigeria. Since the major thrust of architectural education is the attainment of a humane and responsive environment, its re-positioning to enhance housing provision in Nigeria is imperative. This paper examines the housing situation in Nigeria. It further examines architectural education in Nigeria, and its adequacy in preparing would-be architects to function effectively as members of inter-disciplinary teams of housing professionals. It asserts that the curriculum of architectural education in Nigeria requires certain restructuring to make it more socio-economically relevant, and to meet the countryʹs pressing national needs in housing provision.