The Impact Of COVID-19 On Architectural Practice In Nigeria

Abstract

Recent studies show a shift from the physical spaces with the world on lockdown to the world of virtual spaces. This spatial paradigm shift is adjusting wealth from traditional big earners like construction and transportation and energy to newer areas like telecommunications and biotechnical ventures. As architects are still reeling from the immediate effects of coronavirus, the pandemic effects if not mitigated may threaten the very existence of architecture practice as we know it. A survey to determine the impact of COVID-19 on architectural practice in Nigeria was undertaken online between April 6 and 20, 2020. Findings revealed a large disparity between those who viewed the survey and those that filled valid responses. Challenges notwithstanding, actual valid responses amounted to 176 over the two weeks and these were duly analysed and reported. The survey revealed that architecture is been adversely affected by this virus-like the entire construction industry and indeed the nation. Architects in academia are also greatly affected as those in public universities had not been paid from January 2020 to June 1, 2020, due to the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU strike. The economy is reeling from the global effects of COVID-19. This survey paints a picture of a profession grappling with the huge economic disruption of the lockdown. The construction industry had directly felt the punch of this virus as much of the patronage is government. Architects, through their professional bodies, will need to retrain gaining new skills continually thinking out of the box or even getting rid of the box to remain relevant in the new post-COVID-19 world order.