By Fatima Saka
The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with the Abuja Interior and Furniture Expo (AIFE), is taking steps toward the official exposition of locally made furniture and related products in Nigeria.
This development follows a meeting held on Monday in Abuja between AIFE representatives and the ministry to discuss the master plan for the proposed physical expo, set to take place later this year.
Speaking on the ministry’s collaboration in the project, Arc. Chioma Wogob Ogbonna, Director of the Rehabilitation and Restoration Department at the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, expressed optimism about the initiative’s success.
She assured the AIFE team of the ministry’s support, emphasizing that the expo aligns with the ministry’s mandate.
Highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships, Arc. Chioma advised AIFE to engage ARCHIBUILD, a platform under the Nigerian Institute of Architects, to gain further insights and strengthen collaborations.
Earlier in the meeting, Faisal Jafar Rafindadi, Project Coordinator and Head of AIFE, briefed ministry officials on AIFE’s achievements at the state level, particularly in Katsina State.
He explained that the success of the initiative in Katsina inspired plans to expand the expo to Abuja and scale it into a national project for economic development.
The meeting began with introductions, followed by a detailed presentation by Mr. Rafindadi and Dr. Kabir Mustapha, outlining the scope, objectives, and master plan for the upcoming expo.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
Collaboration: Arc. Chioma Wogob Ogbonna reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting AIFE and ensuring the expo’s success.
Strategic Partnership: The ministry recommended that AIFE engage with ARCHIBUILD to strengthen industry collaboration.
Mutual Agreement, Both parties agreed to work together to ensure the seamless execution of the proposed expo.
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Following the meeting, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, along with AIFE officials, will review the proposals submitted by AIFE and explore possible areas of collaboration. They aim to foster knowledge sharing and maximize the expo’s impact on the sector.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including:
Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Representatives:
Arc. Chioma Wogob Ogbonna (Director, R&R Department and Team Lead)
Arc. Rakiya A. Ali (Assistant Director, R&R)
Arc. Affia O.I (FPAM)
Bldr. Hasuma Y. (FPAM)
Alh. Abbas Hassan (Director)
AIFE Representatives:
Faisal Jafar Rafindadi (Project Coordinator and Head of AIFE)
Dr. Kabir Mustapha (Director, Contact and Mobilization, AIFE)
Ibrahim Jafar (Director, Secretariat)
Fatima Abbas Hassan (Director, Media and Publicity)
Mr. Abu Ajeibi
The upcoming expo aims to serve as a national platform for promoting Nigeria’s furniture industry, fostering economic growth, and encouraging local production.
