By Maureen Okon
Roberto Mengoni, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, says Nigeria ranks among the world’s most dynamic urban environments, driven by rapid city growth, innovation, and expanding opportunities in architecture and design sectors.
He added that the country’s cities were also witnessing increased focus on sustainable urban development, creating new possibilities for infrastructure expansion, improved living standards, and innovative solutions to evolving urban challenges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mengoni made this known on Wednesday in Abuja at the inaugural Italian Design Day, organised with the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).
He said initiatives like Italian Design Day enabled the embassy to showcase a key element of Italian culture, highlighting the country’s longstanding tradition of excellence in architecture, design, and creative industries globally.
Mengoni added that the event promoted dialogue beyond Italy, noting the country’s global reputation in architecture and design built on a unique blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and strong industrial collaboration over decades.
He noted that Italian architects, designers, and companies had consistently collaborated to produce buildings and objects that combined functionality, innovation, and aesthetic value, setting global standards across architecture, interior, and industrial design sectors.
Citing Renzo Piano, he said architecture carried responsibility, stressing that rapid urbanisation worldwide presented complex challenges, including sustainability, housing deficits, mobility concerns, and the need to improve quality public spaces in cities.
He said countries like Nigeria were central to the global shift, as cities such as Abuja and Lagos continued expanding while emerging as hubs of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Yemi Shola-Adebiyi, Chairperson of NIA, said the collaboration offered students valuable international exposure, enabling engagement with renowned Italian architects during the programme.
She added that the initiative also strengthened professional learning through direct interaction and shared expertise, enhancing students’ knowledge, skills, and global perspective in architecture and related design fields.
She added that the initiative equipped students with practical knowledge and skills gained during the three-day event, while fostering collaboration and professional exchange between Nigerian students and visiting architects from Italy.
According to her, the programme is a welcome development and marks the first time the Italian Design Day is being hosted in Abuja, providing a platform to build meaningful partnerships and creative synergies.
She explained that although the event was in its tenth edition and usually held in Lagos, stakeholders ensured it was brought to Abuja to extend its benefits to architecture students in the capital.
Shola-Adebiyi said the first day featured a masterclass involving university students already mentored by the institute, adding that established mentorship programmes ensured continuous training and early professional development for aspiring architects.
She explained that mentors engaged students during their academic years to strengthen their skills before internships, noting that earlier evaluation methods had limited impact compared to the current hands-on mentorship approach adopted by the institute.
The report added that visiting architects from Parasite 2.0 Studio delivered presentations exploring the transformation of temporary spaces into permanent architectural solutions, highlighting innovative and experimental design approaches.
NAN reports that students later engaged the visiting architects in interactive sessions, asking questions and exchanging ideas, while participants included students from University of Abuja, Nile University of Nigeria, and Baze University Abuja.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
