The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB)

The professional body responsible for promoting the science and practice of building technology, maintenance, surveying, production/construction management, maintaining a high standard of competence and professional conduct as well as promoting and encouraging the advancement of technical and general knowledge in the building profession in Nigeria is the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB).

Drawing its origin from a related society called the “Builders”, which was formed in 1834 and later became The Chartered Institute of Building in 1980 and now the Institute for the Management of Construction, the NIOB became the first overseas centre for the Institute of Building in 1967 and became autonomous in 1970.

However, the struggle to be officially recognized in form of statutory Registration Council for Professional Bodies started in 1974 and on the 15th of December, 1989, the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) was established under the Builder’ (Registration etc) Decree No 45 of 1989 (then ACT CAP 40) and its official inauguration held on the 24th April, 1990.

With its National Secretariat situated at No 7, Misau Crescent, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki II, Abuja, the NIOB, in carrying out its objectives, works in conjunction with CORBON in ensuring that members are continually trained and up-to-date in the ethics and conduct of the profession, research and curricula development is carried out, standard practice is maintained and controlled, public awareness is created, and accreditations of the Building course in tertiary Institutions overseen.

Currently, over eleven Universities are offering B.Sc Building program and about twenty (20) Polytechnics are offering Ordinary (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Building program in Nigeria. Any graduate that wants to attain full professional status must first go through a pupilage period under the supervision of a fully registered builder and pass the appropriate examinations of The NIOB and CORBON’s interview.

Membership into the NIOB is in two major categories: the professional and non-professional members of the institute. Professional members include Fellows (FNIOB) and Corporate Members (MNIOB) while Non-Professional members include: Graduate Members, Associate Members, Licentiate, Technicians and Students.

Non-professional members are advised to avail themselves of the NIOB professional exams or obtain higher academic qualifications if they desire to advance their membership status. The details and requirements can be found on the NIOB web address www.niobng.org