The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Arc. Sonny Echono, has called for intensified research into locally sourced building materials, warning that approximately 80% of building materials used in Nigeria are still imported and that the situation demands urgent attention from architects and researchers.

Echono made the call in Abuja when he hosted the leadership of Female Architects of Nigeria, led by Arc. Ene Agada, at the Fund's headquarters. He said greater investment in indigenous material research would drive innovation, reduce import dependence and help retain wealth within the country.

"We have been playing lip service to the fact that nearly 80% of our building materials are still imported. If you look at it on a global scale, we are still importing down to doors, windows," Echono stated.

He acknowledged that architects had made progress in local production compared to other professions but stressed that the gains remained insufficient on a global scale. The TETFund boss reaffirmed the Fund's commitment to supporting research initiatives aimed at developing indigenous building materials capable of transforming Nigeria's construction sector and creating employment.

Arc. Agada, in her remarks, called for a strategic partnership between the Fund and the association to advance affordable housing, green building initiatives, mentorship programmes and professional capacity development. She identified affordable, inclusive and climate responsive housing as a priority area and urged TETFund to support applied design research and prototype development of adaptable housing models suited to local realities.

She also proposed joint initiatives on energy efficient retrofitting, climate responsive designs for public buildings and structured mentorship programmes connecting experienced architects with students and early career professionals. Agada further sought TETFund support for international exposure opportunities for selected female architects through exchange programmes and short courses, with beneficiaries expected to transfer acquired knowledge locally.

The association presented Echono with the FAN Award of Excellence in recognition of his contributions to public service and support for female architects in Nigeria.