Key points
- Interior design professionals in Nigeria have called for stronger collaboration and wider adoption of technology in the sector.
- The call was made at the Abuja Interior Design Summit 2026 organised by the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) FCT chapter.
- Stakeholders emphasised the integration of nature, culture and technology in modern design practice.
- Experts said interior design is a key driver of economic growth within the built environment and creative economy.
- Speakers also highlighted the importance of education, cultural identity and professional certification.
Main Story
Interior design professionals have called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, increased technology adoption and improved professional certification to advance Nigeria’s built environment sector.
The call was made at the Abuja Interior Design Summit 2026 organised by the FCT chapter of the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) on Tuesday.
The summit, themed “Balancing Nature, Culture and Technology in the Digital Age,” brought together design professionals, real estate and construction entrepreneurs, as well as experts across the built environment and supply chain sectors.
In her welcome remarks, IDAN FCT Chairperson, Anthonia Ode, said designers must integrate nature, culture and technology to create sustainable and human-centred spaces.
She said rapid technological advancement and a growing desire for cultural identity and connection to nature are shaping global design priorities.
According to her, the key challenge is not choosing between nature, culture or technology, but combining all three to create environments that are sustainable, relevant and responsive to human needs.
Ode said the summit provided a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation and partnership building aimed at shaping the future of design in Nigeria.
IDAN National President, Mrs Jacqueline Aki, said interior design plays a critical role in national development and should be recognised as an economic driver within the built environment sector.
She said the quality of buildings such as schools, hospitals and offices directly affects productivity, wellbeing and national asset value.
Founder of IDAN, Mrs Titi Ogunfere, said professionals must embrace emerging technologies while maintaining strong technical competence and cultural relevance.
She noted that artificial intelligence cannot replace professional expertise but can enhance efficiency and innovation when properly applied.
Ogunfere also called for stronger collaboration between professional bodies, academic institutions and industry stakeholders to strengthen the profession.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Arts and Culture, Mrs Moriam Ajaga, described interior design as a key contributor to Nigeria’s creative economy.
She said technology has expanded access to global design trends but warned that innovation must not erode cultural identity and heritage.
Ajaga added that government is working on policy, financing and investment frameworks to support creative industries and promote the use of Nigerian designers in public projects.
Panel discussions at the summit, moderated by Lape Saleh, CEO of Habitat and Design Limited, explored topics including technology adoption, cultural integration and interdisciplinary collaboration in design practice.
Dr Amos Alao, President of the Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria, highlighted the growing role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in shaping the future of design.
Cultural designer Mrs Nmadili Okwuamabua called for design solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge, local materials and African cultural realities.
Security expert Jennesse Haruna stressed the importance of integrating smart technologies in buildings while maintaining safety and community interaction considerations.
Prof. Dolapo Amole of Obafemi Awolowo University emphasised the need for specialised education to produce professionals capable of meeting both local and global design standards.
Mrs Rakiyat Odunsi urged participants to continue promoting design practices that combine culture, technology and environmental sustainability through collaboration across the industry.
The Issues
- Limited collaboration across professional bodies in the built environment sector.
- Need for stronger integration of technology such as AI into design practice.
- Balancing cultural identity with modern global design trends.
- Gaps in specialised education and professional training for designers.
What’s Being Said
- Anthonia Ode said: “The question before us is not whether we choose nature, culture or technology, but how we bring them together in meaningful ways, to create environments that are sustainable, culturally relevant, technologically responsive, and deeply human.”
- Mrs Jacqueline Aki said: “The nation is built twice: once in its structures and again in the rooms where its people live and work.”
- Mrs Titi Ogunfere said: “Al can never take your job. You need to know your craft as we develop this profession, and use emerging technologies to improve efficiency and innovation.”
What’s Next
- Stakeholders are expected to deepen collaboration across design, education and construction sectors.
- Industry players may adopt more digital tools and AI-driven design technologies.
- Policy efforts could expand support for Nigerian designers in public infrastructure projects.
Bottom Line
Interior design professionals in Nigeria are pushing for stronger collaboration, technological innovation and improved training standards to strengthen the built environment sector while balancing cultural identity and global design trends.
