I recently had the privilege of visiting West Africa on behalf of CIOB, engaging deeply with members, students, academics, and industry leaders, and gaining first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges shaping the built environment across the region.

One of the highlights of the two-week trip was meeting with key employers, including Skol Consult in Ghana and Julius Berger in Nigeria. These discussions focused on ways to strengthen staff engagement with CIOB, encourage chartered progression, and enhance professional development within their organisations. It was inspiring to see the commitment of these companies to raising standards and supporting the professional growth of their teams.

A major highlight was our joint engagements in Nigeria with the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON). Together, we visited universities and companies, as well as several active construction sites. These visits created a unique opportunity to connect academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, highlighting the critical role partnerships play in addressing skills gaps, improving quality and safety, and promoting sustainability across the sector.

Academic engagement 

Student and academic engagement was a key focus throughout the trip. I was encouraged by the energy and ambition of students eager to pursue careers in construction and join initiatives like Tomorrow’s Leaders. Supporting student chapters and mentorship programmes remains central to building a strong pipeline of future Chartered Members, and it was inspiring to see this ambition in action. Conversations with academics emphasised the importance of aligning curricula with industry needs, particularly in areas such as digitalisation, modern methods of construction, and sustainability.

Strengthening local partnerships 

The trip reinforced the CIOB’s broader mission in West Africa: to combine international standards with local relevance, supporting professional growth and industry excellence. By strengthening partnerships with employers, regulatory bodies, and universities, and by promoting Chartered Membership and professional development programmes, CIOB is helping to shape a skilled, knowledgeable, and forward-looking workforce.

Returning from West Africa, I feel inspired by the talent, commitment, and potential I witnessed. There is a strong enthusiasm for advancing professionalism, embracing modern construction practices, and driving innovation. I look forward to continuing this work and seeing the impact of our initiatives as more students, professionals, and organisations engage with the CIOB across the region.