ARC 807 Professional Practice and Procedure - ARCON Decree 220206a

Legal requirements for architectural firms and
architects in Nigeria
• The ARCON decree of 1990.

• Genesis, enactment and scope of the decree.
• Composition of the ARCON council.
• Register of architects and architectural firms.
• Requirements and procedure for registration of architects.
• Requirements and procedure for registration of
architectural firms.
• Professional discipline – disciplinary tribunals and
investigating panels.
ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
The ARCON decree of 1990
Contents
• Establishment of the Architects Registration Council of
Nigeria
• Registration of Architects
• Persons Entitled to Registration in Special Circumstances
• Approval of Courses, Qualifications and Institutions
• Supervision of Instruction and Examinations Leading to
Approved Qualifications
• Certificate of Professional Competence
• Establishment of Disciplinary Tribunal and Investigating
Panel
• Offences
• Schedules, Chapter A19

The ARCON decree of 1990:
Establishment
“There shall be established, a body to be known as the Architect
Registration Council of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “the
Council”) which shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid
and shall be charged with the general duty of:”
• Determining what standards of knowledge and skill are to be
attained by persons seeking to become members of the
architectural profession.
• Establishment and maintenance of a register of persons
entitled to practise the profession and the publication from
time to time of lists of those persons.
• performing the other functions conferred on the Council by
this Act.

The ARCON decree of 1990:
Council Membership
• Four (4) Ministry staff appointed by the Minister.

• One (1) person to represent each state of the
Federation and the Federal Capital Territory
nominated by the Governor.
• Four (4) persons, who shall represent the
universities having accredited faculties of
architecture on a rotational basis.
• Four (4) persons, who shall be appointed by the
Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Use of appellation of “architect”
“A person shall not prepare or take full responsibility

for the erection or commissioning of architectural
building plans or practice or carry on business (other
than that having relevance to ship construction, or to
landscape or golf links) under any name, style or title
containing the word “architect” unless he is a Nigerian
citizen and registered under this Act.”

Requirements for Registration
The candidate must:

1. Be a Nigerian.
2. Have attended a course of training approved by the
Council.
3. Have attended a course at an institution approved by
the Council.
4. Hold an approved qualification.
5. Have adequate experience.
6. Be of good character.
7. Have passed the professional practice competence
examination.

Procedure for Registration
The candidate must:

1. Return applications forms duly completed with any
attachments to the Registrar. Sponsors and referees
columns shall be properly filled.
2. Attach photocopies of his academic credentials and
National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate
duly sighted by a member of Council.
3. Attach evidence of having passed required
examinations.

Procedure for Registration (continued)
4. Attach evidence of full membership registration by

NIA.
5. Attach two passport photographs endorsed and signed
by one of the sponsors.
6. Submit a formal letter signed by the prospective
applicant’s employer recommending him/her to the
Council for registration.
7. Pay prescribed fees.

Approval of courses, qualifications and
institutions for architectural education
1. The Council is responsible for the approval of courses,

qualifications and institutions intended for persons who are
seeking to become or already qualified as architects in Nigeria
or elsewhere.
2. The Council shall from time to time publish in the Federal
Gazette, a list of qualifications approved by it.
3. The Council shall keep itself informed of the nature of the
instructions and examinations at approved institutions.
4. The Council may, upon the recommendation of the Institute,
withdraw any approval given under this section in respect of
any course, qualification or institution.

Professional Discipline – Disciplinary Tribunals
and Investigating Panels
This is a body set up to consider allegations that a person fully or

provisionally registered has misbehaved in his capacity as an
architect, or should for any other reason be the subject of proceedings
before the tribunal.
1. The tribunal shall have not more than eleven (11) members
comprising of fully registered Architects appointed by ARCON of
whom at least four (4) shall be elected members of the Council.
2. The president of the council shall be the chairman of the Tribunal.
3. The Tribunal shall decide on cases of professional misconduct
referred to it by the Architects Investigating Panel which conducts
preliminary investigation on allegations of misconduct.

Professional Discipline – Disciplinary Tribunals
and Investigating Panels (continued)
1. Penalties for misconduct include suspension or removal from

the register.
2. Convictions by the Tribunal shall stand when no appeal or
further appeal is brought within the specified time frame of 28
days.
3. A person, whose name is removed from the register by the
Tribunal, shall not be entitled for re-registration except in
pursuance of an appeal.
4. Any person who falsely uses any name, title, addition or
description implying authority to practice as an Architect shall
be guilty of an offence.

Architects Investigating Panels
• The Panel shall be appointed by the Council and shall consist of

seven (7) members of the Council and two (2) fully registered
architects who are not members of the Council.
• The Panel shall be charged with the duty of:
• Conducting a preliminary investigation into any case where
it is alleged that a person fully or provisionally registered
has misbehaved in his capacity as an architect, or should for
any other reason be the subject of proceedings before the
Tribunal; and
• Deciding whether the case should be referred to the
Tribunal.


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Legal requirements for architectural firms and

• The ARCON decree of 1990.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

• Four (4) Ministry staff appointed by the Minister.

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

“A person shall not prepare or take full responsibility

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

The candidate must:

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

The candidate must:

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

4. Attach evidence of full membership registration by

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

1. The Council is responsible for the approval of courses,

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

This is a body set up to consider allegations that a person fully or

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

1. Penalties for misconduct include suspension or removal from

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

• The Panel shall be appointed by the Council and shall consist of

ARC 807: Professional Practice and Procedure

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