The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has called for intensified research into locally sourced building materials, saying the move is crucial to transforming Nigeria’s construction industry, creating jobs and retaining wealth within the country.
Echono noted that despite progress in the local production of some building materials, about 80 per cent of those used in Nigeria are still imported, underscoring the need for greater investment in research and innovation.
He spoke in Abuja when he hosted the leadership of Female Architects of Nigeria (FAN), led by Arc. Ene Agada at the Fund’s headquarters.
The TETFund boss said there is an urgent need for architects and researchers to explore locally sourced building materials that can drive innovation, reduce import dependence, and strengthen the nation’s economy.
He said: “And I’m particularly worried about this aspect. That is one area that architects have not done well enough. We have been playing lip service to the fact that nearly 80 per cent of our building materials are still imported.
“We have been taking the lead compared to other professions because I’m aware that things like tiling, granite, architects have established businesses. The cable, the electrical cable, the wiring cables that we use, three of them are owned by architects. Compared to what our other colleagues do, we have done very well. But again, if you look at it on a global scale, we are still importing down to doors, windows”.
According to him, the Fund remains committed to supporting research initiatives aimed at developing indigenous building materials capable of transforming Nigeria’s building industry.
