Aggrieved architects with HND certificate drag ARCON to court over marginalization

Architects with the Higher National Diploma, HND background in the
country have cried out over the alleged continuous marginalization and
professional relegation by the Architect Registration Council of
Nigeria, ARCON.

The aggrieved architects who sued the professional body to court for
giving recognition only to their counterparts with university
background prayed before the court that they should also be given
formal recognition.

At the court proceeding which took place before Justice Audu Dogo at
the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, in a
Suit No. FHC/AIC/CS/71/18, the counsel to the aggrieved architects,
Henry Nnabugwu told the court that the defendant, ARCON had on two
occasions been served with writ of summon which they have refused to
honour.

The counsel subsequently prayed that "an order be given mandating the
defendants to allow the plaintiff and all HND graduates of
Architecture from accredited Polythenics to be considered for
registration and licensing as Architects via Final I, Finals II & PPE
Professional Practice Examination or Architects Competence Programme
(ACP) Examination.

"An order compelling the Defendant to allow the plaintiffs and all HND
graduates of Architecture from accredited Polythenics who have in
addition to their HND, Postgraduate Diplomas and Master Degrees in
Architecture, to sit for the Architects Compentence Programme (ACP)
Examination or Professional Practice Examination (PPE).

Following the absence of the defendant in court for the third time,
the judge subsequently adjourned sitting to the 14th January, 2018,
when the hearing is expected to commence.

Expressing dismay over the age-long non-recognition of their HND
status, one of the aggrieved architects, Abimbola Adeleye explained
that since her graduation from the Polythenic 18 years ago, she had
not been able to move past her current status, as the marginalization
has impeded her career professionally.

"I left the Polytechnic 18 years ago, up till this moment, ARCON has
not deemed it necessary to recognize me professionally including my
colleagues despite going through rigorous training at the Polytechnic.

"Due to this, I've on series of occasions lost promotion, right now
most of us as static.

"It's saddening that ones professional colleagues will discriminate
against us just because they attended the univerty.

"We're resolute that we'll get reprieve in court, enough of this injustice.

Also, Kunle Awogbami, one of the plaintiffs maintained that the
quagmir, if not resolve, will dampen the morale of those aspiring to
study the course in the Polytechnic.

According to an undergraduate of the Rufus Giwa Polythenic, Owo David
Olupona who was also in court described the development as
heartbreaking which will have a negative impact on the profession if
not addressed.