Brief History

The history of the Department of Architecture goes further than the existence of Ahmadu Bello University. The Architecture course was first introduced in 1952 at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science Technology at Ibadan. The course was transferred to the Zaria branch of the college in 1955. The first set of Diploma of Architecture graduates were produced in 1958. The Diploma in Architecture Certificate was recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

When in 1962, the Nigeria College of Arts, Science and Technology Zaria, became a full fledged University, the Faculty of Architecture comprising of only the Department of Architecture was one of the founding faculties. On becoming a department of a University, the Architecture programme changes the nomenclature of its diploma to Bachelor of Architecture which was awarded for the first time in 1963 and was also recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

The evolution of the B.Arch. programme can, best be described as difficult due to its rigidity. Initially, the department was affiliated with RIBA which was discontinued and the pattern previously set under the system of Architectural Education had to change. Therefore, we had to endure a continuous revision of course structure, towards building a form of architectural education consistent with national needs.

The department originally, based on Mr Egbo’s recommendation of 1968 introduced a two-tier degree system which took–off in 1969. The system being a departure from the rigid BArch (five year) degree to double tier B.Sc/M.Sc degree in Architecture is more flexible to students’ abilities. The BSc. Undergraduate programme gives a theoretical foundation while the MSc. Postgraduate programme gives both the professional (NIA/ARCON) minimum qualification and the Postgraduate thesis research requirement. Again our local needs, peculiar circumstances and aspirations dictated the necessity to effect this change.

The department has made progress and attained stability in this double tier BSc/MSc Arch. degree structure in : curriculum content, staff intake, provision of physical facilities and students’ enrolment. The student intake in the 1970s rose to eighty (80) during the period of “Construction Boom” .

However, at the turn of the millennium we have witnessed rapid urbanization in most developing economies which has resulted in high competition in candidates applying to study Architecture. The Department currently has to struggle to admit just 2% of qualified candidates applying to study the programme with enrolment hitting an average of 100 students.

Mission

We view architecture as an inter-disciplinary field of study, which fosters the application of aesthetics, social, cultural, economic, scientific and technological principles to solve variety of environmental design problems. The programme at Ahmadu Bello University attempts to provide a broad education in architectural design, which includes supporting courses in environmental control, building materials/technology, concepts and historical influences, arts and social sciences.

The programme aims at developing a creative approach to understanding and providing solutions to design problems with the motivation to seek new solutions to the issues and challenges facing a developing country with a rich cultural heritage such as Nigeria. The Zaria programme stresses the cultural relevance of architecture through the incorporation of research and design modules in the course that looks and tries to tap from the rich traditional resources in the region. The end product is expected to be a good designer sensitive to the social and cultural environment competent to grapple with the demands and needs of a complex modern society.

The objectives include:

(a) to inculcate in the student an understanding of the context of design and construction in physical, cultural, social, economic, ecological and technological terms;

(b) to equip the student with adequate knowledge, creativities, specialized skills and leadership capabilities that will enable the graduate to co–ordinate and control the design and construction processes and inputs from allied professionals and executors;

(c) to train the graduate to be a consultant capable of performing the following functions;

i. Brief development and feasibility studies;
ii. Project initiation and development;
iii. Site and development planning;
iv. Design;
v. Supervision;
vi. Contract Administration;
vii. Project Management;
viii. Rehabilitation and Refurbishing;
ix. Modification and material change in use;
x. Restoration and preservation, and
xi. Maintenance, in relation to building and the environment.

Philosophy

The philosophy stresses the importance of physical as well as socio–cultural factors in the design process, as to produce competent, creative, critically minded and ethical professional designers/builders. The graduates are expected to be intellectually mature, socially responsible and technologically sensitive to issues of sustainability and the local environment in which they operate.

Academic Programmes

Staff List