Building a Stronger Future Together: 15 Months of CIOB and CORBON Partnership

Since arriving at the CIOB in January this year, I have witnessed first hand the positive power of partnerships. One clear example of this in action is our partnership with the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON). It is heartening to see the relationship between our two organisations flourishing, and the positive impact it is already having.

Over the past several months, our team on the ground in Sub-Saharan Africa has had the privilege of working closely with our colleagues at CORBON, and seeing the shared commitment we have to raising professional standards, strengthening competency and supporting the continued development of Nigeria's construction industry.

We've had incredibly valuable conversations with leaders like Bldr. Tunji Adeniran (FNIOB, mni), whose passion for advancing the profession and commitment to developing construction talent have been instrumental in driving our collaboration forward.

Those discussions have reinforced just how closely aligned our organisations are in our ambition to build a more skilled, ethical and professional construction sector. Fifteen months on from the signing of our partnership, it's clear this is far more than just a memorandum of understanding.

One of the most significant achievements has been expanding access for CORBON members to CIOB's internationally recognised professional development resources and training materials. By combining local expertise with global best practice, we're helping construction professionals develop the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to thrive in an increasingly complex industry.

Our collaboration has also extended beyond learning resources. Together, we've delivered a joint professional workshop to discuss emerging industry challenges, exchange ideas and share best practices. Opportunities like these strengthen professional networks while reinforcing the importance of continuous learning throughout a construction career.

For CIOB, the partnership has also strengthened our visibility and reputation within Nigeria. Working alongside CORBON has enabled us to engage more closely with industry leaders, employers and professionals, ensuring that CIOB is recognised as a trusted partner committed to supporting the country's construction sector.

As our presence continues to grow, I want to encourage anyone interested in CIOB membership, qualifications or professional development to engage only through our official channels.

Membership applications, training programmes and learning resources should always be accessed via the official CIOB website or through communications issued directly by CIOB and our recognised partners, including CORBON.

This ensures professionals receive genuine information, recognised qualifications and the high-quality support they expect from CIOB. We have an outstanding regional team based in South Africa committed to working with organisations and governments across Africa to make construction a safer and more sustainable working environment, a more welcoming industry for women, and so much more.

Turning back to our partnership with CORBON, the greatest beneficiaries are the professionals, clients and communities who depend on a competent and ethical construction industry. By promoting higher standards of professionalism, continuous professional development and internationally recognised best practice, we're helping to build a stronger, more resilient construction sector capable of delivering better outcomes for Nigeria.

While we've made excellent progress over the past 15 months, we're only just getting started. Later this year, CIOB will host the Built Environment Professional Practice and Regulation Summit Africa – a pilot initiative bringing together regulators, professional bodies and key stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the future of professional practice, governance and regulation.

I'm delighted to say CORBON will be part of these important conversations as we work together to strengthen collaboration, promote professional excellence and build a safer, more resilient and sustainable built environment across not only Nigeria but also the entire continent of Africa.