Solar Powered Buildings in Nigeria:Challenges and Opportunities for the Future

In our quest for sustainable development and the achievement of a safe environment, numerous alternatives to power supply have been exploited. The challenge of erratic and insufficient power has for decades bedevilled our dear nation resulting in the proliferation of the use of generators in multiple locations within the built environment. This solution apparently is the people’s response to the nations decaying infrastructure but invariably produces an environment which is unsafe to its inhabitants. In recent times, reports have shown that the emissions arising from this practice have caused the death of occupants. It is common knowledge that the use of solar energy as an alternative power source is not yet ubiquitous in this country. In recent times, innovation in the area of thermal solar and photovoltaics provide possibilities of its introduction in the building fenestration and facade. This study however examines some existing solar powered facilities in Abeokuta Nigeria. The Challenges and benefits of this scheme will be investigated while deriving essential design information for architects and allied professions. The future is bright but there is a great need to prepare for i

Task-Technology Fit of CAD Deployment in Architectural Firms in Nigeria

Architectural design firms deploy design technologies for design, modelling and other services. Autodesk AutoCAD is deployed by 90% of these firms in Nigeria. The paper utilized integrated Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model to measure deployment. Multiple regression analysis of the survey reveals ease-of-locating data as highest predictor of the fit model. Keywords—Architecture, AutoCAD, Deployment,Regression,Task-Technology Fit

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Deployment in Architectural Firms in Nigeria

Architectural practice has been in existence in Nigeria for more than fifty years and the earliest introduction of computers by firms for operations began in the early 1980s. Information and communication technology (ICT) usage is inevitable in all fields of endeavours and for professionals in the present era. The study of ICT usage and deployment therefore becomes imperative. This study aims at providing an understanding of the deployment of ICT in architectural firms in Nigeria. It specifically examines organizational and ICT characteristics of the firms; the measure of fit between ICT tools deployed and tasks engaged; the effect of training programmes on the availability of ICT proficient personnel; and the level of acceptance of Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) in architectural firms in Nigeria. The Task-Technology Fit model (TTF) and an Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) were employed to test deployment of four design technologies (AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit Architecture and SketchUp) and the acceptance of CSCW. The multistage sampling technique was used to derive the sample drawn from six cities: Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Enugu, Lagos and Portharcourt were selected based on documented evidence of having the largest number of firms in their zones. A total of 118 questionnaires were returned from a total of 159 distributed. This represents a 74.21% return rate. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, crosstabulations, Chi-Square tests, exploratory factor analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis. The study revealed improvements in the quality and availability of ICT systems in architectural firms in Nigeria as from 2001. Internet connectivity and Website ownership is on the increase in architectural firms. Annual turnover of the architectural firms has is positively correlated to the quality of installed systems. The study also found a relationship between ownership of websites and the date of ICT introduction. The integrated TTF/TAM test showed levels of fit between tasks engaged in architectural firms and the design technologies deployed. The model tests explain between 41.4% - 52.1% of the residual variation in the production of detailed system product. The coefficients of determination and beta coefficients are significant to predict model fit of deployment. Reasonable proficiency levels of the staff in the deployment of the available software and technologies were confirmed. Furthermore firms are getting increasingly involved in outsourcing as a service delivery strategy. The study revealed that few firms fund training programmes within their organizations. Most of those that fund training programs commit lower than a million naira to it annually. The study revealed that there is no significant relationship between the availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff and the existence of training programmes within the firms. It was also confirmed that there was no significant relationship between the availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff and the training methods employed by the firms. It was found that there was a significant relationship between the availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff and the CAD/BIM proficient staff needed. The interview responses suggest that the schools of architecture have done much towards achieving the availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff. CSCW has been adopted by only 37.3% of the firms and the study revealed that perceived ease-of-use, security and the quality of installed systems were predictors of the extended TAM model. In conclusion, the study recommends that concerted efforts towards developing network infrastructure especially broadband access can improve the practice of outsourcing and also have impact on CSCW. Quality investment and commitment by technology companies and vendors, firms, the government and other stakeholders in the area of ICT acquisitions, network security and the development of user-friendly technologies will surely improve adoption and deployment of ICT in architectural firms in Nigeria

Comparative Analysis of Undergraduate Female and Males Performances in Science and Technology in Covenant University

The 21st Century has ushered in awareness to female education on Science and Technology Courses in Nigeria. The rate of enrollment in higher institutions especially the private institutions in Nigeria are quite astonishing. This has led to the enquiry on the comparative assessment of the performances of both females and males in Science and Technology Courses. Covenant University Students of College of Science and Technology will be the focus of study. in order to elicit information on the interest and performance of the females and males in Science and technology courses. In addition, Centre for Information and Systems was also consulted for relevant information related to this study. The research work adopted both the primary and the secondary method; the primary method involved the use of questionnaires and interviews. The secondary method included the past performances of the students in terms of academic records and achievements of female students in the Science and Technology. The method of data analysis entailed descriptive and empirical analyses of the data gathered from the respondents. The empirical aspect involved independent sample analysis and regression to determine the nature of the relationship among the variables. The descriptive utilises the frequency and percentage distribution to analyse the responses from the targeted audience. The questions consists of two major parts; the first part seeks to ascertain vital information that patterns to the socio-demographic characteristic of the respondents and the second part focuses on the students’ performances in their courses as well as their cumulative grade points since the inception. The adoption of these methods in the analysis is to ascertain whether choice of courses in tertiary institutions is the keen interest of the males and females students or has been influenced by parents or guardians’ decision to study. In addition, the adoption of this method helps to validate the importance of Science and Technology to the female world, since the world is at present a global villag

Proficiency And Capacity Building Of Human Capital in Architectural Firms in Nigeria

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) are essential design technologies for the production of services by architectural firms and indeed the architects that work for them. These architects are CAD/BIM personnel if they are literate and proficient in the use of these technologies. The study examines the availability/proficiency levels of CAD/BIM personnel in architectural firms in Nigeria; the existence of training programmes for these personnel; and the relationship between availability of personnel and existence of training programmes. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews, giving a good blend of quantitative and qualitative research methods. A response rate of 74.21% from the survey was achieved, with responses from 118 out of 159 firms sampled from six cities: Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Enugu, Lagos and Port Harcourt. In-depth interviews of ten principals of firms were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations and tests of associations. Reasonable levels of proficiency in the use of CAD, BIM, Renderers and the Internet were revealed. However, the study found no significant association between the availability of CAD/BIM proficient personnel in architectural firms in Nigeria and the existence of training programmes within the firms. It is recommended that concerted efforts to improve existing training programmes and support schools of architecture be championed by the firms and professional bodies. Keywords: Availability, BIM, CAD, Design, Personnel, Proficiency, Training, Technologie

Infrastructure Conditions in Public Secondary Schools, Ogun State, Nigeria

It is widely believed that all is not well with the facilities and infrastructure in public schools in Nigeria. However studies have shown that maintenance activities go on in these institutions but the intensity and magnitude may be inadequate. The Study examines the availability and condition of infrastructures in Public Secondary School buildings in Ado-Odo/ Ota L.G.A, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study used descriptive survey research method and stratified random sampling technique to sample Thirty-Six Public Secondary Schools out of Forty-Seven in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. Data were collected using questionnaire and observation methods. The analysis was done through descriptive statistics and chi square tests. The result shows that user attitude, maintenance culture and lack of fund have major influence on the present condition of the existing infrastructures. It was observed that a sizeable portion of the infrastructures in the Public Secondary School are in the state of disrepair and there is high need for resolving them. This paper concludes that if proper attention is given to school infrastructures there will be improvements in the Public Secondary School building Condition in Ado-Odo.Ota L.G.A Ogun State. Keywords: Disrepair, Infrastructure, Maintenance, Public schools, Secondary Schools

The Nexus of Cost, Quality and Creativity of Architecture Students in a Typical Nigerian University

Globally, there exists a meaningful connection between the cost of education, quality of works and creative outputs of architectural students which revolves around the architectural design studio. It is on this premise that students are trained to master the vocabularies and understand the tenets of presenting creative works in schools of architecture. The powers of communication becomes the ‘modus operandi’ of creative outputs that emerges in 2-D, 3-D or animated formats, otherwise, the activity ends up in futility, mirage experience and mental cramps to the creative world. Previous study in the United Kingdom and Nigeria has identified high cost of architectural education as a barrier to the training of future professionals. This paper examined the connections between the cost, quality and creativity of Architecture students in Covenant University, Nigeria particularly in presentation of their architectural design studio works. Questionnaires were administered to obtain related information from a cross-section of students from the second to the sixth level in the 2014-2015 academic sessions. The result of the study identified students’ need for high performance laptops, fees payment as impediment to early resumption and the obvious expensive nature of architectural education as the predictors of creativity in the study context. Furthermore, recommendations stemming from the study suggested remedial actions that could be put in place to reduce the achievement gap between the financially weak and strong students to ennoble their self-esteem, create sense of belonging and develop potentials that are embedded in the students; so as to assist in attaining heights of competence, proficiency and acumen embedded in architectural propriety

The Designers’ Task, Dynamics and Integration of Solar Energy in Buildings

Architectural design studio project experience result in a charade of events that take place within and outside the intellectual domains of the students’ designers; both the design studio teachers and practitioners in the field are not unconnected with these realities of knowledge construction in Renewable Energy options. This happens especially when design problems occur to a building and major influences may impinge on the space organization as affected by heat, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting. Such operationalization may result to dysfunction when the knowledge construction of sustainability indices by architectural designers were not properly utilized and integrated in design projects.This study examined a review of Solar Energy systems with respect to designers’ tasks, strategies of integration in Architectural design. A review of design studio works of some selected students as assessed by the jurors and interviews were used to gather the data for the study. The results obtained suggest that although the students were taught aspects of sustainability relevant to the integration of Solar Energy as alternative energy source in buildings, but they may not have utilized and internalized them properly. This is because the responses of the students on sustainability performance of their studio work were skewed and some students indicated little knowledge of some sustainable principles, which had already been incorporated into the curriculum. The study concludes with advocating for Experiential learning in architectural education with the sense of empathy as the user, client and architect-designer of spaces, which portray the principles that are taught in the curriculum of schools

Evaluation of Canaanland Camp House B, Ota, Ogun State

Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) has been identified as one of the key methodologies in identifying the performance of buildings. It is important for building industry professionals as well as end users to understand the efficiency and effectiveness of their buildings through proper analysis of feedback. The purpose of POE is to improve how buildings are constructed by reducing design and maintenance costs, enhancing occupant satisfaction, comfort, and performance, and to increase return on building owners’ investments. This paper adopts a strategic review using POE in an investigative format with particular focus the Camp House B which served as accommodation for post-graduate students of Covenant University and lodging for groups on spiritual programmes. A survey was carried out using a structured questionnaire as research instrument. The 48 Masters students of architecture representing 30.57% of the total of 157 Post Graduate students were chosen as the sample. The study variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics, tests for correlations and significant relationships were established. The results show significant correlation between the time spent in the rooms and the perceived air quality of the building and significant relationship between adequacy of room space and change in needs of the occupant. The paper concludes with results that show relative user comfort in the buildings and rated the buildings condition as good with a rating of 2.88/4.00. The paper recommends concerted efforts towards improving plumbing services and the inclusion of passive cooling features in design solutions. Keywords: Evaluation, Feedback, Maintenance and Performanc

EVALUATION OF TEACHERS’ CAPACITY IN ABSORBING NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR TEACHING STUDENTS IN SELECTED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

This study examines how teachers manage new technologies in the process of teaching their students. The advent of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has doubtlessly impacted on almost every discipline, and teaching inclusive. Both hardware and software have been made available to aid teaching and learning including e-learning, e-assessment, etc. Despite the great potentials that the technologies have, not only to revolutionise the educational process, but also to engender the suitability of graduates to take on real life challenges in the ever evolving global working environment. After considering the issue of ICT availability, however, there remains the pivotal role of teachers. This study, therefore, examines the interest, willingness to learn new things, and competence of teachers in the use of new technologies. Considering that they mediate what eventually gets to the students, it becomes germane to assess their exposure. To realize the objectives of the study the method of data analysis will utilise the logit regression framework