Professional builders have been urged to move beyond conventional construction practices and adopt sustainable construction systems that prioritise lifecycle thinking, durability, resource efficiency and environmental stewardship. They were also encouraged to embrace green building principles, circular economy concepts, climate-responsive architecture and resilient infrastructure capable of adapting to environmental and socio-economic changes.
Keynote at Environmental Design Conference
The Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Dr Samson Opaluwah, gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the third Environmental Design Conference (EDCON) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The conference was themed “Reimagining Sustainable Futures: Exploring Innovative and Integrated Designs for Eco-friendly and Resilient Communities.”
Opaluwah called on stakeholders to foster innovation, collaboration and professionalism in the pursuit of sustainable and resilient communities. He stressed the need to leverage collective expertise to create a built environment that is safe, inclusive, environmentally responsible and economically sustainable.
Addressing Climate and Urban Challenges
According to him, achieving this objective requires the implementation of sustainable and resilient design and construction strategies capable of withstanding environmental shocks such as flooding, extreme heat, erosion and other climate-related disasters increasingly affecting communities. He noted that communities across the world are facing unprecedented challenges arising from climate change, rapid urbanisation, population growth, resource depletion, environmental degradation, infrastructure deficits, energy insecurity and socio-economic inequalities.
Opaluwah said these challenges are particularly severe in developing countries such as Nigeria, where they are compounded by inadequate planning, weak infrastructure systems, poor maintenance culture and limited integration of sustainability principles into development processes.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Essential
He stressed that sustainable development can only be achieved through collaboration across disciplines, noting that no single profession can independently address the complex environmental and developmental challenges confronting the country. “The future demands interdisciplinary professional teams that are adaptable, technologically competent, ethically grounded and globally competitive,” he said.
The CORBON chairman urged universities to equip students with practical skills, innovative thinking, digital competencies and sustainability-oriented mindsets that align with contemporary industry realities. He also challenged the Faculty of Environmental Design to spearhead innovation in the development of sustainable local building materials and resilient construction methodologies to boost housing delivery nationwide.
Triple Helix Model and Regulatory Strengthening
To accelerate development, Opaluwah advocated the adoption of the Triple Helix Model, which promotes collaboration among academia, industry and government. “We must prioritise resilience in our communities to anticipate, prepare for, respond to and recover from environmental and socio-economic challenges. This requires proactive planning, sustainable infrastructure systems, efficient transportation networks, effective waste management, affordable housing and inclusive urban development policies,” he said.
He added that CORBON had strengthened the regulatory framework for building practice through the gazetting of operational regulations for builders’ practice and health and safety regulations for building sites, alongside continuous capacity-building initiatives for professionals.
Role of Emerging Technologies
Opaluwah further highlighted the transformative role of emerging technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), smart materials, renewable energy systems, digital fabrication and Artificial Intelligence in shaping the future of the built environment. “Nigerian institutions and professionals must embrace innovation and research-driven solutions that respond effectively to local realities while aligning with global sustainability goals,” he said.
ABU Vice-Chancellor’s Remarks
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof Adamu Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Sambo Bello, said environmental and urban challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa require innovative, data-driven and multidisciplinary solutions. Ahmed noted that rapid urbanisation and emerging challenges in the construction sector have made it imperative for stakeholders to rethink traditional approaches to planning, design, construction and infrastructure delivery.
“Climate-resilient cities cannot be achieved by any single profession working alone. Integrated approaches remain essential for sustainable development and long-term resilience,” he said. He added that ABU is demonstrating leadership through its Campus Renewal Initiative, which promotes sustainable development practices, climate-responsive research, innovative technologies and modern estate management systems.
NIQS President’s Perspective
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Dr Aminu Bashir, said quantity surveyors must play a central role in ensuring that sustainable development projects remain economically viable and deliver value. According to Bashir, sustainability is not only a design challenge but also a matter of cost, value and lifecycle management. He urged professionals in the built environment to embrace lifecycle costing, value engineering and cost modelling as critical tools for promoting climate-responsive, resilient and sustainable development.
