The Director of Public Building at the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Bature Tagwai, has challenged young Nigerian architects to embrace diligence, thoroughness, and continuous self-improvement as the cornerstones for a successful career.
Tagwai described architecture as a demanding profession where hard work and meticulous attention to detail are paramount.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, the FCDA Director advised young professionals to focus on self-driven education and global awareness, noting that architecture demands a high level of personal commitment with no tolerance for laxity.
He warned, “Architecture does not condone laziness. You have to be prompt, you have to be decisive, you have to be diligent in whatever design situation you may find yourself. Anything worth doing is worth doing well,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for architects to actively enrich their knowledge, saying you have to be very thorough in whatever you do. “Architecture is a course where you don’t wait for people to teach you; you teach yourself. You try to upgrade your capacity. Architects must strive to know what is happening in the modern built environment globally, including Dubai, China and others.
“This includes continuous self-education to enhance performance in the use of building materials, like roofing materials, curtain walls, and paintings, where innovation is constant. In so doing, you’ll be successful depending on the opportunity or privileged opportunity that comes your way,” he said.
Tagwai, who was recently conferred with the prestigious status of a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, FNIA, disclosed that his public service career started with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in 1992, where he rose through the ranks to Deputy Director before his recent elevation and confirmation as the Director of Public Building by the FCT Minister.
Speaking on his experience working under the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Arc. Tagwai described it as “strictly official ‘but a “special privilege.’
He commended the minister for his elevation to the position of director and for appreciating hard work and commitment, which he said had resulted in a visible and rapid transformation of the Abuja landscape.
“I am a privileged gentleman because I get so excited to work with somebody who appreciates hard work, who appreciates human feelings.
“You will all agree with me that the Abuja landscape has changed. He has brought so many differences.
“He has enhanced so many avenues for people to engage themselves in economic activities. Abuja has been transformed, thus far, within just two years and a few months.
“He has created an enabling environment for the practice of architecture, be it in the private sector or public service. Everybody seems to have that sense of belonging in the built environment. Not just the architects, the engineer, the quantity surveyor, the town planners, everybody seems to be excited about how Abuja is being transformed,” he said.
While wishing Nigerians compliments of the season, Tagwai expressed the need for unity, collaboration and partnership, saying a tree cannot make a forest.
You must master diligence, global trends – FCDA’s Tagwai to young architects
