The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) has called for the integration of interior design studies into the basic education curriculum.
The association said that this would build youths’ interest towards developing career in interior designing.
Mrs. Kuceli Ross-Adetunji, IDAN FCT Chairperson, made the call during a news conference at the Abuja Interior Design Summit and Exhibition on Wednesday.
According to her, as Nigeria grapples with youth unemployment, interior design is a crucial subsector that can engage young Nigerians to become self-employed, if their interest is built early in it.
She expressed concern that only one Nigerian university currently offers a Masters program in interior design, highlighting the need for other institutions to adopt similar courses.
Ross-Adetunji, who described life as ‘a master design’, emphasised that IDAN was established to regulate the interior design subsector and to educate the public on the craft’s significance in life’s development.
According to her, IDAN is already working towards collaborating with stakeholders in the education sector to integrate interior design studies into the basic education curriculum.
She explained that the association’s efforts are beginning to yield results, with partnerships forming to encourage students at the basic education level to develop an interest in interior design.
She explained further that IDAN, in collaboration with National Gallery of Arts and Action Aid, has started engaging primary and secondary school students towards embracing interior design as ‘ a way of life.’
“We collaborated this year with the National Gallery of Arts to understand children’s perceptions of spaces, as interior design is not currently included in our curriculum.
“This test run was intended to test children’s thoughts on the subject, and we have also worked with Action Aid at an orphanage to explore the need for improved spaces.
“IDAN will continually engage its members in professional development training to help them establish a strong presence at all levels,” she said.
Also speaking, Freda Anegbe, National Vice President of IDAN, emphasised the importance of training and retraining of members towards the need to elevating the profession.
She explained that IDAN’s primary objective was to bring order to the interior design profession and educate Nigerians on the architectural power of interior design.
Anegbe added that IDAN will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that interior design is included in the national education curriculum.
In her remarks, Mrs Ncheta Ononokpono, Acting Director, Housing Towns Development Department, FCTA, said IDAN has received governmental support, evidenced by the collaboration with various government agencies across the country.
Ononokpono, however acknowledged the shortage of skilled manpower in the interior design profession and urged IDAN to intensify efforts to bridge this gap.(NAN)
By Joshua Olomu
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