Dr Utibe Emmanuel Akah

Biography

Dr. Utibe Emmanuel Akah is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, where he serves in the Department of Architecture, Planning and Construction within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. An accomplished academic and registered architect with extensive experience across West and Southern Africa, Dr. Akah’s career reflects a strong commitment to architectural education, digital innovation, and sustainable built environment practice.

He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Architecture from the University of Uyo in 2024, following a Master of Science (MSc) in Architecture and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architecture from Imo State University in 2005 and 2003, respectively. He is a Full Member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (Membership No. M3352) and a fully registered architect with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (Registration No. F3321), attaining professional registration in 2015.

With more than a decade of academic and professional experience, Dr. Akah has contributed significantly to architectural education and practice across multiple institutions and firms. He began his academic career as a Lecturer at Imo State University between 2014 and 2018 before joining the University of Uyo, where he advanced to the rank of Senior Lecturer prior to his appointment at NUST in 2026. Alongside his academic engagements, he has held several professional roles, including Principal Architect at AU Architekts, Uyo; Senior Architect at Harcourt Adukeh Associates, Port Harcourt; Project Architect at Ecosystem Design Group, Owerri; and Graduate Architect at Uno-Consult Nigeria, Owerri. Earlier in his career, he also served as a Graduate Assistant at Kaduna Polytechnic during his National Youth Service.

Dr. Akah has demonstrated distinguished leadership and service within university administration and academic governance. At the University of Uyo, he served as Secretary of the Departmental Board, Coordinator of the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Secretary of both the Curriculum Review and Accreditation Committees, and a member of the Admissions, Facilities, and Equipment Committees. He has also contributed to postgraduate education through the supervision and mentorship of doctoral research in architecture and the built environment.

His scholarly work is situated at the intersection of digital architectural technology, pedagogy, and professional practice. His doctoral research, which explored Building Information Modelling (BIM) progression in architecture education within Nigerian universities, reflects his broader research interests in digital transformation, architectural education, sustainable design, and innovation in the built environment. Dr. Akah has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in respected national and international journals, with his research receiving citations from scholars worldwide and presentations at professional and academic forums.

As an educator, Dr. Akah advocates an integrated and experiential approach to architectural training that bridges design studio culture, technological advancement, and the social responsibilities of the profession. His teaching philosophy emphasises research-informed learning, critical inquiry, mentorship, and context-responsive design thinking. He is deeply committed to preparing future architects with the technical competence, intellectual rigor, and ethical awareness required to address contemporary challenges related to climate, culture, community, and sustainable urban development.

NUST Staff Profile | ORCID: 0000-0002-3360-1895 | ResearchGate | Google Scholar | LinkedIn | YouTube

Research Focus

• Digital Technologies, Innovation and Construction Systems in Architecture
• Architectural Education, Design Theory and Spatial Experience
• Sustainable Built Environment, Heritage and Building Performance

Teaching

Undergraduate Teaching

Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) — Current

Department of Architecture, Planning and Construction, Windhoek, Namibia

• RMR810S — Research Methodology (Honours — BArch)

University of Uyo (UNIUYO) — 2018 to 2026

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Uyo, Nigeria

• ARC 122 — Introduction to Basic Computer Applications (2 credits) — 2024 to 2025
• ARC 211 / ARC 221 — Architectural Design I and II (4 credits) — 2018–2023
• ARC 216 — Building Materials I (1 credit) — 2023 to 2025
• ARC 222 — Computer Aided Design: Estate Management (2 credits) — 2018 to 2025
• ARC 317 — Building Services: Water and Sanitation (2 credits) — 2018–2019
• ARC 321 — Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme / SIWES (18 credits) — 2019 to 2025
• ARC 333 — Introduction to Computer Aided Design (1 credit) — 2018 to 2025
• ARC 411 / ARC 421 — Architectural Design IV and V (4 credits) — 2023 to 2025
• ARC 419 — Interior Design (2 credits) — 2018–2023

Imo State University (IMSU) — 2014 to 2018

Department of Architecture, Owerri, Nigeria

• Architectural Design Studio I
• Introduction to Computer for Architects
• Computer Application / CADD
• Architectural Graphics and Lettering III
• Building Components and Methods III

Postgraduate Teaching and Supervision

Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) — Current

Department of Architecture, Planning and Construction, Windhoek, Namibia

• SML911S — Sustainable Materials Lab (Architecture Masters)
• MDT912S — Masters Design Thesis (Supervision — Master Level)

University of Uyo (UNIUYO) — 2018 to 2026

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Uyo, Nigeria

• ARC 641 — Advanced Interior Design (2 credits) — 2022 to 2026
• ARC 618 — Advanced Cost Monitoring (2 credits) — 2024 to 2026
• ARC 816 — Doctoral Seminar and Writing for Publication (3 credits) — 2024 to 2026
• PhD Research Supervision — Doctoral Candidates in Architecture and the Built Environment Disciplines
• MSc Thesis Supervision — Postgraduate students in Architecture

Imo State University (IMSU) — 2014 to 2018

Department of Architecture, Owerri, Nigeria

• MSc Architectural Design Supervision
• Postgraduate Studio and Thesis Advisory

Community Development Activities

• Member, Project Committee — St Stephen's Anglican Deanery and Youth Development Centre, Bayelsa State (2013–2017): contributed to the planning and realisation of community and religious development projects
• Member, Royal Youth Movement (1999–2003): active participation in youth-led community development initiatives
• Member, Committee on Review of the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) Regulations — NIA Akwa Ibom State Chapter (2018–2019): contributed to the review and reform of urban planning and building regulations in Akwa Ibom State
• Registered practicing architect (ARCON Reg. No. F3321) — providing professional architectural and project management services on religious, commercial, residential and institutional buildings in southern Nigeria, with emphasis on responses to tropical climatic challenges
• Member, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) — Membership No. M3352: participation in professional outreach, CPD activities, and industry-wide knowledge development
• Coordinator, Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) — Department of Architecture, University of Uyo (2019 to 2026): facilitating industry placements and professional mentorship for architecture students
• Secretary, Departmental Board; Secretary, Curriculum Review Committee; Secretary, Accreditation Committee; Member, Admissions Committee; Member, Facilities and Equipment Committee — University of Uyo (2019 to 2026): contributing to institutional governance and quality assurance in architectural education
• YouTube content creator (@utibeakah) — disseminating architectural knowledge and education to a broader public audience
• Open-access research dissemination through ResearchGate — making scholarly outputs on BIM, CAD, IBS, spatial design, and heritage available to practitioners and communities in developing countries
• International workplace health and safety training — Online Certificate (2014)
• Participation in NIA and ARCON professional development workshops: NIA AGM + Autodesk BIM Workshop, Akwa Ibom State Chapter (November 2019); ARCON Architects' Colloquium — Architecture and the National Development Agenda X, Abuja (April 2017); Comprehensive Project Management Services workshops on Site Mobilisation and Pricing the Works, organised by Megastar Technical and Construction Company, Port Harcourt (2014, 2015); Continued Professional Development Seminar on Project Packaging and Development, NIA Imo State Chapter, Owerri (June 2008)

Publications

Thesis / Dissertations

1. Akah, U. E. (2024). Building Information Modelling Progression in Architecture Education in Nigeria Universities (p. 253) [PhD Thesis]. Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
2. Akah, U. E. (2005). Students Union Complex, Imo State University [MSc. Dissertation]. Department of Architecture, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
3. Akah, U. E. (2003). Graphics: A Tool for Effective Visual Communication in Architecture [BSc. Report]. Department of Architecture, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

Book Chapters

No book chapter publications have been listed at this time. This section will be updated as publications become available.

International Peer-Reviewed Articles
 ResearchGate | Google Scholar

Non Peer-Reviewed Articles

1. Akah, U. E. (2021). Preservation and restoration maintenance plan for Old Residency Museum, Calabar. Semester paper — Renovation of the Built Environment (ARC 812). Department of Architecture, University of Uyo, Uyo [uploaded to ResearchGate, 2024].
2. Akah, U. E. (2021). Building deterioration agencies: Pre and post completion agents. Semester paper — Renovation of the Built Environment (ARC 812). Department of Architecture, University of Uyo, Uyo [uploaded to ResearchGate, 2024].

Conference Proceedings

To be updated with confirmed conference paper(s).

Poster Presentations

To be updated with confirmed poster presentation details.

Magazine Articles

To be updated with confirmed magazine article listings.

Conference Presentations & Invited Talks

1. Participation and paper presentation — 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) + Autodesk BIM Workshop. Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Akwa Ibom State Chapter. 2nd November 2019. [Certificate of Participation]
2. Participation — Architects' Colloquium: Architecture and the National Development Agenda X. Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja. 24–27 April 2017. [Certificate of Participation]
3. Workshop participation — Comprehensive Project Management Services (CPMS): Site Mobilisation for New Projects. Organised by Megastar Technical and Construction Company Limited, Port Harcourt. Le Meridian Hotel, Uyo. 2015. [Certificate of Attendance]
4. Workshop participation — Comprehensive Project Management Services (CPMS): Pricing the Works. Organised by Megastar Technical and Construction Company Limited, Port Harcourt. 2014. [Certificate of Attendance]
5. Seminar participation — Continued Professional Development Seminar on Project Packaging and Development. Nigerian Institute of Architects, Imo State Chapter. Modotel, Owerri. 12 June 2008. [Certificate of Participation]