The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, has described Nigeria as one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments, citing rapid city growth, innovation, and expanding opportunities in architecture and design.
Mengoni made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja at the inaugural Italian Design Day, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Architects.
According to him, Nigeria’s cities are witnessing increasing emphasis on sustainable urban development, opening up new opportunities for infrastructure expansion, improved living standards, and innovative solutions to urban challenges.
He noted that initiatives such as Italian Design Day provide a platform to showcase Italy’s rich heritage in architecture and design, while also fostering global dialogue and collaboration.
Mengoni highlighted Italy’s global reputation in design, attributing it to decades of creativity, craftsmanship, and strong industrial collaboration, which have set benchmarks in architecture, interior, and industrial design.
Quoting renowned architect Renzo Piano, the ambassador stressed that architecture carries a deep responsibility, particularly in addressing challenges associated with rapid urbanisation, including housing deficits, sustainability, mobility, and the quality of public spaces.
He added that countries like Nigeria are central to this global transformation, with cities such as Lagos and Abuja emerging as hubs of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Yemi Shola-Adebiyi, said the initiative provided architecture students with valuable international exposure and opportunities to engage directly with Italian professionals.
She noted that the collaboration enhanced professional learning through knowledge exchange, helping students develop practical skills and a broader global perspective.
Shola-Adebiyi described the programme as a milestone, noting that it marked the first time Italian Design Day was hosted in Abuja, despite being in its tenth edition and traditionally held in Lagos.
She explained that the three-day event featured masterclasses, mentorship sessions, and interactive engagements designed to strengthen early professional development among aspiring architects.
The programme also included presentations by visiting architects from Parasite 2.0 Studio, who explored innovative approaches to transforming temporary spaces into permanent architectural solutions.
Students from institutions including the University of Abuja, Nile University of Nigeria, and Baze University participated in interactive sessions, exchanging ideas and insights with the visiting experts.
The event underscored the growing importance of international collaboration in shaping Nigeria’s urban future and advancing architectural innovation.
