…Omenugha applauds Professional Body and entire University Management Team
The Department of Architecture Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) has recorded a major academic milestone as it has been granted full accreditation status by the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), seven years after the programme previously operated on partial accreditation.
The accreditation outcome was communicated through an official memo signed by Arc. Mohammed Itopa Sule, the Registrar of ARCON and copied to the Chairman of the ARCON Education Committee.
The report followed an accreditation visitation exercise carried out between 16th and 19th December 2025 at the University’s Department of Architecture, Uli Campus.
After reviewing the panel’s findings, ARCON approved full accreditation for the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) Architecture programmes, effective from 1st December 2025 to 30th November 2027.
According to the memo issued in line with the provisions of the Architects (Registration, Etc.) Act, CAP A19, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the panel acknowledged notable improvements in infrastructure, staffing, and academic resources within the department. Chief among the developments was the completion and occupation of the new departmental building, which effectively addressed the major deficiency that previously led to the programme receiving only partial accreditation.
The panel also noted the acquisition of 79 new drawing tables with stools, the repair of faulty computers in the digital studio with the addition of three new systems, improved studio ventilation, and the availability of organised e-resources and library holdings to support academic work.
Further observations revealed a cordial working relationship among staff members, an acceptable staff-student ratio of 1:11.57 based on a student population of 162, and a satisfactory staff quality coefficient rating of 1:1.76.
The panel equally commended the overall quality of students’ works, which were described as generally above average. However, it recommended improvements in areas such as staffing structure, laboratory technologists, and additional office facilities for staff, while encouraging continued compliance with ARCON regulations and academic standards.
Based on its general assessment score of 78.75 percent and the satisfactory ratings recorded across key benchmarks, the panel recommended that the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) Architecture programmes of COOU be granted full accreditation for the remaining period of two years, effective from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2027, subject to specified professional and administrative conditions.
Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, expressed immense joy over the achievement, describing it as a major breakthrough for the university.
The Vice-Chancellor, noted that the department had been engaged in a long process of accreditation renewal since 2019 and credited the success to resilience, strategic leadership, and collaborative support.
Prof. Omenugha particularly highlighted the completion of the new Architecture building, which she said was made possible through a combination of TETFund support and the university’s internally generated revenue, ensuring that the project did not become abandoned.
The VC, revealed that discussions for the Architecture building dated back to her time as Commissioner for Education in Anambra State in 2014, she commended the contractor, TETFund, and members of the university community who remained steadfast in ensuring the project’s completion. She also congratulated the Head of Department, Dr. Oluchi Ifebi, and staff of the department for their dedication, noting that the achievement represents a defining moment for the university.
According to her, the development underscores COOU’s commitment to maintaining high professional standards and strengthening its reputation as a centre of academic excellence.
