In a bid to elevate the standards of interior design practice in Nigeria the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) has pioneered the establishment of the Institute for Professional Designers and Product Inventors.
Titi Ogufere, founder of IDAN, made this known during the investiture ceremony of Jacqueline Aki, the 6th president of the association in Lagos recently.
Ogufere noted that the institute for professional designers will ensure that quacks are eliminated from the industry and help redefine the country’s interior landscape.
Speaking on the investiture of Aki, the founder noted that she is renowned for her creative vision and dedication to sustainable practices.
According to her, these qualities steps Aki into her new role with a dynamic agenda that promises to elevate Nigerian interior design on a global platform, alongside fostering local growth through three foundational pillars of structure visibility and advocacy.
“Through structure the association will strengthen its internal systems with clearer membership pathways, robust capacity-building programs, and improved member support across regions.”
“Following its visibility strategy, IDAN will amplify the profession’s voice through purposeful storytelling, strategic engagements, and enhanced media presence.”
“While it’s advocacy efforts will include collaborating with educators, regulators, and allied professionals to shape standards, expand design education, and influence national development agenda.”
Building from these pillars, the new administration, led by Aki will immediately focus on clarifying membership pathways through introducing revised categories and progression routes for decorators, designers, and firms at all stages.
The new administration will launch the IDAN Lessons Webinar Series which is a monthly digital series spanning 12 core themes, hosted across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
It shall launch the CEO Roundtables for Design Entrepreneurs – this discussion is designed to strengthen leadership and spark solutions to key industry challenges in partnership with allied professions.
The Titans as the Executives fondly call themselves will pilot a Flagship Impact Initiative: which is a design-led intervention aimed at demonstrating the human and societal value of interior design in real-world settings; improving regional engagement by way of including digital onboarding tools, localized support, and more opportunities for member participation.
The academic sector will not be left behind as the Education and Youth Inclusion program will kick off introducing interior design awareness classes into early education while also supporting emerging young designers at university and early-career levels—particularly those bringing fresh, innovative approaches to the profession.
“Being a member of IDAN is an affiliation and a professional anchor,” Aki who is also the managing partner James Cubitt Interiors, said.
She noted that members can expect access to mentorship, career development, and global exposure through curated partner events.
While building on continuous learning through webinars, CPD programs, and masterclasses members can be well represented in policy conversations and industry-shaping forums consequently developing a peer network that supports and collaborates across levels, specialties, and regions
Ekua Abudu, chairman board of trustees, while extolling the new direction of leadership said, “Jacqueline Aki’s presidency is a catalyst for change, poised to bring IDAN’s vision to life by fostering an ecosystem where design thrives on innovation, diversity, and sustainability.”
These initiatives are foundational to IDAN’s mission to establish Nigeria as a pivotal player in the global design community, driving economic growth and cultural exchange while setting a benchmark for sustainable practices.
Moving further the president iterated that though the newly elected National Executive Council is currently composed of women, “inclusivity remains a guiding principle,” assuring the audience that committee selections and volunteer roles will reflect a diverse and balanced representation of the profession.
“We are building something intentional. This is a legacy move that is rooted in collaboration, culture, and clarity,” she stressed
