UNIZIK, Nigerian Institute of Building Move to Strengthen Partnership

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Anambra State Chapter, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, following a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie.

The delegation, led by the Chairman of the institute in Anambra State, Builder Ikenna Okpala, visited the Vice-Chancellor at his office on June 18, 2026, to discuss areas of collaboration and support for professional training and development within the university.

Speaking during the visit, Builder Okpala described the Nigerian Institute of Building as a statutory professional body established under Decree 45 of 1989 and later incorporated into the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. He explained that builders are academically trained and professionally registered specialists responsible for construction management and project delivery.

According to him, the institute has enjoyed a productive relationship with Nnamdi Azikiwe University over the years and is eager to deepen that partnership under the current administration.

As part of the visit, the institute presented a souvenir plaque to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of the university's contributions to professional development and capacity building within the construction sector.

Presenting the plaque, the immediate past Chairman of the institute, Builder Alex Chukwunwike, said the gesture symbolised appreciation, respect, and the institute's desire to sustain collaboration with the university.

He noted that UNIZIK has consistently supported the institute's activities in Anambra State through academic contributions and participation in professional training programmes.

"Our business as an institution is training. We have different cadres of professionals within the building environment, and we have always partnered with the university to provide facilities that support our training programmes," he said.

Builder Chukwunwike appealed to the university management to address challenges affecting some equipment in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences workshop, noting that functional facilities would improve practical training for both students and industry professionals.

He also sought the university's support for the institute's forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and advocated increased involvement of builders and other built-environment professionals in university projects to provide hands-on learning opportunities for trainees.

Responding, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Anyaehie expressed appreciation for the visit and the institute's continued support for the university.

Addressing concerns raised by the delegation, he explained that his administration had already taken steps to ensure greater participation of university-based professionals in institutional projects.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that one of the earliest initiatives of his administration was the establishment of a Direct Labour Committee made up of professionals from various departments of the university to oversee and execute several ongoing projects.

He further revealed that the university had registered UNIZIK Consultancy Limited, a platform designed to create additional opportunities for academic and professional staff to contribute to developmental projects while leveraging their expertise for institutional growth.

Prof. Anyaehie reiterated the university's commitment to working closely with professional bodies and industry stakeholders to enhance practical training, infrastructure development, and professional excellence within the institution.

The visit underscored the shared commitment of both organisations to advancing professional education, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and improving the quality of training for future professionals in Nigeria's built environment sector.