THE CONSTITUTION OF THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN CHARTERED ARCHITECTS
(ANCA)
CONTENT
PREAMBLE
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLE OF THE ASSOCIATION’S POLICY
Article 1 Name And Address
Article 2 Aims And Objects
Article 3 Members
Article 4 Professional And Other Affixes
Article 5 Organs Of The Association
Article 6 The Board Of Trustees
Article 7 Executive Council
Article 8 The Management Committee
Article 9 Disciplinary Board
Article 10 The General Assembly
Article 11 Boards And Committees
Article 12 Branches Of The Association
Article 13 Officers Of The Association
Article 14 Elections
Article 15 Electoral Committee
Article 16 Qualifications For Election
Article 17 Finances
Article 18 Subscriptions
Article 19 Defaulters
Article 20 Right To Hold Properties
Article 21 Special Clause
Article 22 Trusteeship
Article 23 The Common Seal
Article 24 Professional Code Of Conduct And Discipline
Article 25 Representation Of The Association
Article 26 Referendum.
Article 27 State Of Emergency
Article 28 Bye-Laws And Interpretation
Article 29 Amendments To The Constitution.
Article 30 Financial Year
Article 31 Rights Of Members
Article 32 Proclamation
PREAMBLE
We the members of The Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects (the
“Association”), a not-for-profit and non-political organization do firmly and solemnly
resolve to provide for ourselves a Constitution and to be governed by the provisions
therein contained.
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLE OF THE ASSOCIATION’S POLICY
The Association is a platform for persons registered and chartered to practice the
profession of Architecture in Nigeria. The Association is fully aware that the power and
authority to register persons who intend to practice the profession of Architecture in
Nigeria resides with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in
accordance with Architects (Registration, Etc) Act, Cap A19, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria 2004. The Association is also aware of the best practices worldwide where
professional regulation and registration resides with the government of a country
through an Agency. The Association has absolute confidence in ARCON regulating the
profession in Nigeria and shall not engage in a parallel process.
Wherefore as a matter of deliberate policy, the Association shall not expend its time,
energies and resources in subjecting professional pupils through a rigorous time
wasting preparatory process of professional registration. This is without prejudice to any
area of cooperation that ARCON may find the Association a worthy partner.
However, the Association shall channel its time, energies and resources in postregistration education of its members with a view to getting them abreast with current
professional trends and developments so as to improve and enhance their professional
competence. This is to promote the practice of Architecture in Nigeria to the mutual
benefit of all its citizens.
The management and administration of the Association shall be vested in three organs
that shall be mutually independent, namely Board of Trustees, Executive Council and
Disciplinary Board. While the Executive Council shall be responsible for policy
formulation and execution this shall be done with some limited control by the Board of
Trustees and the Disciplinary Board shall be outside the control of the Executive
Council which shall not have any discretion in implementing a report from the
Disciplinary Board. No member of one of the organs shall simultaneously be a member
of another. With this a situation where one organ becomes omnibus and uncontrollable
would not arise.
ARTICLE 1
1.0 NAME AND ADDRESS
The name of the Association is Incorporated Trustees of Association of Nigerian
Chartered Architects.
1.1 ADDRESS:
The Address of the Association shall be as prescribed in the Bye-Laws for the
time being.
ARTICLE 2
2. 0 AIMS
2.1 Therefore, the Association shall be open to all those who have been registered to
practice the profession of Architecture in Nigeria and all those who ARCON has certified
to be on the right track leading to full professional registration.
2.2 OBJECTIVES
1. To provide a platform for Chartered Architects to interact among themselves
professionally.
2. To promote moral, ethical and professional discipline and conduct among
registered architects.
3. To enhance professional development amongst chartered architects.
4. To foster friendship amongst its members, to cater for their welfare, and to
establish mutual support and co-operation amongst them.
5. To support the development of indigenous Nigerian architecture.
6. To promote interaction of Nigerian chartered architects with their counterparts in
the rest of the world, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship as well as
intellectual, cultural, artistic, educational and scientific ties between the architects
of all nations, schools and philosophies.
7. To promote cooperation and contact between national and international
associations of architects and other professions whose aims and objectives are
compatible with those of the Association.
8. To represent the profession at national and international levels and where
appropriate, to formulate official statements for the consideration of Governments
at various levels as well as international organizations and other relevant
institutions as they affect the profession of architecture.
9. To develop and maintain public confidence in the ability and integrity of architects
by demanding from members of the Association, the highest moral and
professional standards; to protect public interest by the promotion of and
enforcement of the Association’s code of professional conduct, ethics and
practice by all its members practicing in Nigeria.
10. To actively promote and protect Nigeria’s interests and aspirations in all physical
development efforts which have an impact on the economic, sociological and
environmental concerns of the nation.
11. To support and strengthen the role of the Architects Registration Council of
Nigeria as the sole regulatory authority for all architects practicing in Nigeria and
to continue to assist in providing and monitoring the level of practical training and
experience required for the practice of the profession in Nigeria.
12. To encourage the training of Nigerian architects, architectural technologists and
technicians and to give all possible support and cooperation to higher institutions
of learning in various facets of the academic and practical training of students as
may be necessary.
13. To promote and encourage the development of architectural education and
research in all its ramifications, and facilitate international exchange of architects,
teachers, researchers and students.
14. To continuously educate the public about the dynamic role and functions of the
Architect in the built environment society in general and to ensure that the social
and cultural interests of Architects and other allied professions are recognized by
public opinion and by official and semiofficial bodies and other organizations.
15. To encourage cooperation of architects with other disciplines, professions and
interests involved in the built environment in highly technical fields and to stress
the value of the work of the architect.
16. To promote and encourage the establishment of a conducive environment for the
practice of the profession of architecture, including the upholding of the
Association’s code of professional conduct, ethics and practice, standards of
academic and professional training and the status of architects in the society.
17. To protect the overall Nigerian national interest by ensuring the rights of
indigenous practice to equitable proportion of government projects; to
consistently promote and encourage optimum and effective utilization of
indigenous manpower in architecture in Nigeria in the public and private sectors
of the economy; to protect registered indigenous architectural practices against
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unfair foreign competition and unethical practice; to promote Nigerian
architectural expertise in other countries.
18. To act as the official negotiation body for the profession in matters of common
interest of members or concern to the profession as a whole, and to promote the
observance of a mandatory scale of fees for architects practicing in Nigeria as
enacted or shall be enacted by the regulatory body, ARCON.
19. To encourage active participation of architecture students in relevant activities of
the Association and the respective architecture students’ organizations in
Nigerian institutions of higher learning.
20. To encourage and foster active involvement of architects in mid-career courses
and professional exchanges as a valuable means of continuing professional
development.
21. To make all possible efforts for members to be actively involved in various
decision- making levels of society at governmental and non-governmental circles
and to encourage maximum contribution of their creative skills in the widest
possible range of human activities for the benefit of the society.
22. To promote public awareness of the role and scope of services of the profession
by publications, lectures, exhibitions including the specialized forum of building
materials and construction technology and any other public enlightenment
programs considered appropriate by the Association.
23. To organize and administer a benevolent fund for assisting its member in need,
and in promoting the study of architecture and charitable causes.
24. To initiate, organize, promote and enter into any such enterprise as may be
deemed beneficial to the Association.
25. To carry out any activity consistent with the above aims and objectives.
ARTICLE 3
3.0 MEMBERSHIP
3.1 There shall be seven classes of membership of the Association as follows:
(i) Life Fellows
(ii) Fellows
(iii) Chartered Members
(iv) Provisional Members
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(v) Graduate Members.
(vi) Student Members.
(vii) Honorary Fellows
3.2. The Guild of Fellows:
The Guild of Fellows of the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects shall
constitute members of the Association who have been elevated to the fellowship
class in accordance with the Bye-Laws of the Association. Fellows and Life
Fellows shall be members of the Guild.
3.2.1 Functions of the Guild of Fellows shall be as follows:
i. To enhance the attainment of the Association’s aims and objectives
ii. To provide reservoir of expert advice and experience in Architecture and related
matters for the Association.
iii. To serve as a Think-tank for the projection of ideas and initiatives and for the
advancement of Architecture and related matters on behalf of the Association.
iv. To carry out any other activities as may be approved by the general assembly
and consistent with the above aims and objectives.
3.3. Chartered Members:
Chartered Members shall be those who are eligible by virtue of having been fully
registered to practice architecture in Nigeria by the Architects Registration
Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and have satisfied the conditions as specified in this
Constitution and the Bye-Laws of the Association.
3.4 Basic Qualifications for Classes of Membership.
The following basic requirements shall be fulfilled for the various classes of
membership listed below.
3.4.1 Life Fellows
Shall satisfy the following conditions.
(i) Shall have been a Fellow of the Association.
(ii) Shall have attained the age of 80 years. Upon the attainment of 80 years, a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects shall be invested a Life Fellow of the Association.
(iii) He shall participate in all activities of the Association free of any charges.
3.4.2 Fellows
Shall satisfy the following conditions
(i) Shall not be less than forty years of age
(ii) Shall have been actively engaged continuously in the practice of architecture in a
responsible position for at least fifteen years after election as a chartered
member of the Association.
(iii) Shall be required to submit evidence of works for which they have been directly
responsible.
(iv) Shall be an active member of the Association at local, state and national level,
(v) Shall be required to have attended a minimum of ten (10) major activities of the Association as prescribed in the Bye-Laws,
(vi) Elevation to the class of Fellowship shall be either by invitation or application,
(vii) Elevation to Fellowship class either by invitation or application shall comply with
all the conditions as stipulated in this Constitution and Bye-laws.
(viii) Shall have valid and current practice license issued by ARCON
3.4.3 Chartered Members
Shall satisfy the following conditions:
(i) Shall not be less than twenty-one years of age.
(ii) Shall have been a Provisional Member
(iii) Shall have been actively engaged in the practice of Architecture,
(iv) Shall have been fully registered by the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria.
(v) Shall have satisfied all the requirements for Chartered Membership of the
Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects as stipulated in this Constitution and
subsequent Bye-Laws,
(vi) Shall have a valid and current practice license issued by ARCON.
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3.4.4 Provisional Member
Shall satisfy the following conditions:
(i) Shall have obtained a Master’s degree in Architecture or its equivalent from a
Nigerian University or any other institution recognized by ARCON.
(ii) Shall have been registered in the Provisional 1 Register of ARCON.
3.4.5 Graduate Members
Shall satisfy the following conditions:
(i) Shall have obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture or its equivalent
from a Nigerian University or any other Institution recognized by ARCON.
(ii) Shall have been registered in the Provisional 2 Register of ARCON.
3.4.6 Student Members
Shall fulfil the following conditions:
(i) Shall have obtained the minimum entry qualification (s) for the study of
Architecture and shall have been enrolled into a School of Architecture within or
outside Nigeria recognized by ARCON.
(ii) Shall have spent a minimum of two (2) years in the School of Architecture.
3.4.7 Honorary Fellowship:
The Honorary Fellowship of the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects may
be awarded to a person resident in or outside Nigeria who by reason of his / her
eminence in the profession of architecture or contribution to the development of
the profession and the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects may be
recommended to accept the Association’s invitation for Honorary Fellowship. The
Procedure of award shall be in accordance with the Bye Laws. Honorary Fellows
shall not be eligible to be members of the Guild of Fellows.
3.5 METHOD OF APPLICATION
3.5.1 Application for membership except in the case of Honorary Fellows and Life
Fellows, shall be made to the Executive Secretary, as prescribed in the ByeLaws and admission to membership shall be by a majority decision of the
Executive Council.
3.5.2 Application for membership shall be made on a form obtainable from the website
of the Association or the Executive Secretary as shall be prescribed in the ByeLaws. All applications whether completed online or offline shall be for the
consideration of the Executive Council. All applications shall give sufficient
documentation about the applicant’s qualifications to enable a decision on the
appropriate class of membership to which the applicant shall be elected.
3.5.3. If the Executive Council decides, application may be initiated and concluded
online at the Association’s website for all classes of membership, except
Honourary Fellowship, and as shall be prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
3.6 ADMISSION
3.6.1 Every member who has complied fully with the requirements for admission and
paid his registration fees and first annual subscription as prescribed in the ByeLaws, may be formally introduced and admitted at any of the Association’s
functions designated for that purpose.
3.6.2 A member of the Association shall be required to be actively involved in the
activities of the Association at different levels of its activities.
3.7 ADMISSION BY MIGRATION.
Notwithstanding 3.5 and 3.6 above a person who has been registered by the
Architects Registration Council of Nigeria for a number of years prior to the
coming into being of the Association shall be admitted into the appropriate class
of membership as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
3.8 MEMBERSHIP LIST
3.8.1 A List showing all classes of membership of the Association shall be maintained
at the Association’s Secretariat and / or data base resident in the Association’s
website and published periodically as the Executive Council may direct.
ARTICLE 4
4.0 PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER AFFIXES
4.1 Only Provisional Members, Chartered Members and Fellows, shall have the right
of using after their names, the appropriate initials, PCArc, MCArc, FCArc and Life
FANCA, respectively, denoting the class of membership to which they have been
elected. Honorary Fellows shall use the initials Hon. FCArc.
ARTICLE 5
5.0 ORGANS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association shall have the following Organs to administer its affairs:
5.1 The Board of Trustees
5.2 The Executive Council
5.3 The Management Committee.
5.4 The General Assembly.
ARTICLE 6
6.0 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Association shall have a Board of Trustees. This Board of Trustees, is to
hold the ownership of the Association in trust for the membership. Its role, though
very important, ends there, unless otherwise specified in the Constitution and
Bye-Laws. It is not to be involved in the policy formulation or management of the
Association. It constitutes the legal instrument of the Association since it is
registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
6.1 COMPOSITION
The Board of Trustees shall comprise of six Permanent Members, with one
representing each geo-political zone in Nigeria. The tenure of the Board shall be
a minimum of ten years but members shall be eligible for re-election or reappointment according to the Bye-Laws. The term “Permanent” is used to
connote the membership being held by each of the six geo-political zones.
A member of the Board shall step down from the Board upon the attainment of
the age of eighty-five years. Where a Permanent Member vacates his / her
position by reason of age, death or physical incapacitation he or she shall be
replaced accordingly.
In addition to the six Permanent Members, a past President who has vacated the
office after ten years shall be coopted into the Board of Trustees of the
Association. Thereafter, such past president shall lose the right to be coopted
into the Executive Council. A past President who becomes a member of the
Board of Trustees by reason of cooption shall be replaced if he / she vacates his
/ her seat on account of age, death or physical incapacitation. The Board shall
have a maximum membership of nine (9).
The Board of Trustees shall have a Chairman elected from among the members
by themselves. Provided always that a coopted member cannot be a chairman.
6.2 MEETINGS
The Board of Trustees shall meet at least once and at most twice in a year
except if required in compliance with Article 26. The venue for the meetings shall
be determined by the Board and shall be funded by the Association in
accordance with Article 20.
ARTICLE 7
7.0 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
7.1 The Executive Council shall be vested with the Policy formulating functions of the
Association.
The Executive Council is to formulate policies, determine the directive principle of
the Association, and approve budgeting and other policy matters. All these
should be outside the interference of the General Assembly.
It should report to the General Assembly once annually, where a comprehensive
financial and management report is presented to the General Assembly for
consideration and approval.
It shall comprise of members who shall be elected at an Architects’ Convention
every other year.
Elections of all officers of the association shall be online through the election
portal of the association website.
These shall be in accordance with this Constitution and the Bye-Laws.
The following shall be members of the Executive Council:
(i) President
(ii) Deputy President
(iii) Vice President – Training and Research
(iv) Vice President – Districts Administration
(v) National Secretary
(vi) National Treasurer
(vii) Assistant Secretary
(viii) Public Relations Officer
(ix) Students Affairs Officer
(x) Education and Practice Officer
(xi) Public Policy Officer
(xii) International Affairs Officer
(xiii) Government Liaison Officer
(xiv) Library and Information Technology Officer
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(xv) Events & Commercial Officer
(xvi) Six Branch Representatives, one for each geo-political zone
(xvii) Two Ex-Officio members, one representing Past Presidents
(xviii) Immediate past President (Ex-Officio)
(xix) The Executive Secretary of the Association.
At any point in time, the Executive Council shall not have a membership in
excess of thirty (30). For the avoidance of doubt, Coopted Past Presidents shall
not be more than two (2) in the life of any Executive Council.
7.1.1 Council may at its discretion coopt any member to Council but the number shall
not be more than two at any time. Coopted members shall have the right to
attend and vote.
7.2 The Executive Council shall meet at least once in three months at a venue to be
determined by it.
7.3 Without prejudice to Article 7.2, a meeting of the Executive Council shall be
convened upon receipt of a written request, signed by at least 50% members (to
the nearest whole number) eligible to attend and vote. Such written request may
be conveyed electronically through a secured platform as specified in the ByeLaws.
7.4 The quorum at Council meetings shall be 30% of members (to the nearest whole
number) entitled to attend and vote, as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
7.5 The Executive Council may resolve that a decision shall be referred to all Full
Members of the Association between General Meetings or a referendum as
stipulated in the Bye-Laws.
7.6 The Executive Council’s decision shall be made by consensus or by a simple
majority of those voting, except in special cases specified in the Bye-Laws
7.7 Members shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Executive Council
after three years of full membership of the Institute and shall have served in at
least one committee of the Institute or shall have served as a committee member
of a State Chapter and in accordance with the provisions of the Bye-Laws.
7.8 If the Executive Council is dissolved mid-term by a motion moved by twenty (20)
Fellows and supported by thirty (30) Chartered Members, the motion shall be
subjected to a Referendum supervised by the Board of Trustees as prescribed in
the Bye-Laws. If the motion succeeds at the Referendum, the Board of Trustees
shall within seven days set up a five-member Care Taker Committee which will
organize an election within 30 days. Such a Care Taker Committee shall not
have the powers of the Executive Council as prescribed in this Constitution. The Chairman of the Care Taker Committee shall act ceremonially as President within the 30-day period.
ARTICLE 8
8.0 THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Management Committee shall comprise of
8.20 The President
8.21 Deputy President
8.22 Vice President – Training and Research
8.23 Vice President – Districts Administration
8.24 National Secretary
8.25 National Treasurer
8.26 Executive Secretary.
The Management Committee shall be responsible for the implementation of
decisions of the Executive Council and ensure that the Executive Secretary with
the Secretariat Staff dutifully carries out all the functions of the Association.
The Secretariat Staff shall be headed by the Executive Secretary. The day to day
running of the Association shall be vested on the Secretariat Staff. The
Secretariat Staff shall manage the affairs of the Association without the daily
interference of the Management Committee.
The Management Committee shall report to the Executive Council once every
three months during the meeting of the Executive Council.
In all cases, the Management Committee and the Secretariat Staff shall manage
the affairs of the Association in accordance with the Bye-Laws.
ARTICLE 9
9.1 DISCIPLINARY BOARD
9.2 There shall be a Disciplinary Board comprising of five members, at least, two of
whom shall be Fellows. The Chairman and members of the Disciplinary Committee
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shall be appointed and removed by the General Assembly on the recommendation
of the Board of Trustees.
The Chairman of the Disciplinary Board and its members shall not be members of
the Executive Council or the Board of Trustees.
9.3 The Chairman and each member of the Disciplinary Board shall have a term of five
(5) years renewable, on his / her own merit, for as long as each member of the
Board is found worthy. In this regard, the Disciplinary Board is not subject to
dissolution. However, a member of the Disciplinary Board shall vacate the Board
on the attainment of the age of 75 years.
9.4 The Disciplinary Board shall be responsible for matters that require the discipline of
members except those referred to in Article 27. Matters to be laid before the
Disciplinary Board shall have been investigated by the Executive Council which
shall determine whether a prima facie case exists.
ARTICLE 10
10.0 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
10.1 The General Assembly of the Association shall comprise of members of all
classes of the Association who have for the time being fulfilled all their financial
obligations. The General Assembly shall be the highest decision making organ of
the Association. It shall hold a meeting, known as The Architects Convention,
at least once in a year where it shall receive and decide on reports presented to it
by the Executive Council. Such meetings and other functions of the General
Assembly shall be in accordance with the Bye-Laws. An Elective Architects
Convention shall alternate annually with a non-Elective Architects Convention.
10.2 The Architects Convention shall be declared open annually by an invited
dignitary who may be or may not be an architect. In the absence of same the
Architects Convention shall be declared open by the Chairman, Board of
Trustees.
ARTICLE 11
11. .0 COMMITTEES
11.1 The Executive Council shall have the power to establish, inaugurate, disband or
reconstitute any Committees and appoint or dismiss any or all of the members
thereof as it may deem necessary for the work of the Association and the
management of its affairs; any such Committee shall be constituted as
prescribed in the Bye-Laws and be given such terms of reference as the
Executive Council may decide.
11.2 Special/Ad-Hoc Committees may be appointed by the General Assembly or the
Executive Council for such purposes as may be required.
ARTICLE 12
12.0 DISTRICTS & SECTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION
12.1 There shall be formed a District of the Association in each State of the
Federation as prescribed in the Bye-Laws. The same shall apply to the Federal
Capital Territory, Abuja, and shall comply with the requirements and conditions
similar to those required for the formation of a District. There shall be only one
District of the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects in any State of the
Federation. However, where a major settlement within a State find it convenient
but with the approval of the District, a sub-District may be created. Each District
shall state in its Bye-Laws approved by the Executive Council, the conditions for
creating sub-Districts. Each sub-District shall be known as a Section.
12.2 Districts and sub-Districts shall be coded as in the Bye-Laws. Districts shall not be
identified with the names of States.
12.3 An application for the formation of a District shall be made on the Association’s
website and shall be accompanied by the proposed Bye-Laws of the Chapter. A
resolution endorsed by at least 10 members shall be uploaded with the
application in a format prescribed in the Association’s Bye-Laws.
12.4 A District shall be formed only when approved by the Executive Council and a
letter duly signed by the President and the National Secretary of the Association
conveying the approval.
12.5 The Executive Council reserves the right to grant permission for the formation of
a District, with or without conditions.
12.6 Each District shall be bound by the Constitution, Bye-Laws and all rules and
regulations of the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects and also by all
Constitutional and Bye-Law amendments, rules and regulations that shall from
time to time be made by The Association. The Association shall attend to all
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International and national matters and the decision of the Executive Council shall
be final.
12.7 In all matters whatsoever affecting DISTRICTS; the decision of the Executive
Council shall be final, unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the Constitution..
12.8 Each District shall send a signed copy of its Annual Report to the National
Secretary, and upload same unto the Association’s website, at least one month
before an Annual Architects Convention.
12.9 Only those, who are by virtue of being members of the Association, shall be
admitted to membership of a District.
12.10 The Executive Council reserves the right to suspend or withdraw the
Association’s recognition of any District. A District whose recognition is
threatened shall be notified in writing by the Executive Council and shall be
entitled to a full hearing of its case by the Executive Council.
12.11 The Executive Council shall exercise its discretion to dissolve an erring Executive
Committee of a District if in the opinion of the Executive Council the Executive
Committee is working at cross purposes with the Association or has become
ineffective in managing the affairs of the District.
12.12 If pursuant to 11.10 and 11.11 above a District feels aggrieved by the decision
and / or action of the Executive Council, the District may seek redress from the
Board of Trustees whose decision on the matter shall be final.
12.13 The Bye – Laws of a District shall not be in conflict with any provision of the
Constitution and Bye-Laws of the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects.
12.14 In the event of a conflict in the Bye-Laws of a District and the Constitution and
Bye Laws of the Association, the latter shall take precedence.
12.15 Districts and Sections shall be identified by Codes as prescribed in the ByeLaws.
ARTICLE 13
13.0 OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
13.1 The following officers of the Association shall be elected by nomination and ballot
as prescribed in the Bye-Laws from among Chartered Members and Fellows.
They shall be Nigerian citizens,
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(i) President
(ii) Deputy President
(iii) Vice President – Training and Research
(iv) Vice President – Districts Administration
(v) National Secretary
(vi) National Treasurer
(vii) Assistant Secretary
(viii) Public Relations Officer
(ix) Students Affairs Officer
(x) Education Officer
(xi) Practice Officer
(xii) International Affairs Officer
(xiii) Information Technology Officer
(xiv) Library and Publications Officer
(xv) Events & Commercial Officer
13.2 All offices shall be held for two years. Any vacancy that occurs through
resignation, death or removal shall be filled by the Executive Council, in
accordance with the provisions of the Bye-Laws. Except where specifically
expressed, all officers may seek re-election.
13.3 The President of the Association shall be elected for a period of two years. He
shall not present himself for re-election. However, by a 75% majority decision of
the Board of Trustees, the Board may request the President to continue in office
for another term. If the President accepts, the matter shall be presented to the
General Assembly for concurrence. A simple majority decision of the General
Assembly shall uphold the decision to allow the President a second term.
His functions are defined in the Bye-Laws. The President shall Chair at all
Meetings of the General Assembly of the Association, as well as all meetings of
the Executive Council. He shall oversee the affairs of the Association.
13.4 Deputy President – Deputy President: is to be responsible for formulation of
policies for the generation of funds for the Association. He is to coordinate all
committees of the Association that are responsible for funds and income
generation. He is to deputize in the absence of the President.
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13.5 Vice President – Training and Research: is to be responsible for formulating
policies for the training and retraining of architects with a view for the Association
to be relevant to emerging trends through training facilities, facilitators and
research grants. He is to coordinate all committees of the Association pursuant to
these objectives.
13.6 Vice President – Districts Administration: is to be responsible for the mobilization of
all classes of Membership and coordination of the activities of all the Districts of the
Association.
13.7 The National Secretary shall be the Secretary to the Executive Council and all
General Meetings of the Association. He shall report on the general
administration of the Association at Executive Council Meetings and Annual
Architects Conventions.
13.8 The National Treasurer shall oversee the finances of the Association and shall
report thereon at each meeting of the Executive Council and at the General
Meetings of the Association.
13.9 The functions of all other officers shall be as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
13.10 The Executive Secretary shall be a non-elected officer of the Association. He
shall be the Chief Operating Officer of the Association. His qualifications,
appointment, functions, duties and remunerations shall be as prescribed in the
Bye-Laws.
ARTICLE 14
14.0 ELECTIONS
14.1 Elections shall be by secret ballot. Balloting shall either be by paper or electronic
voting as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
14.2 Elections shall be held at an Annual Architects Convention every other year.
Time and period of voting shall be as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
14.3 Only Chartered Members and Fellows who are financial members of the
Association may sponsor, vote or be voted for at the Annual Architects
Convention.
ARTICLE 15
15.0 ELECTORAL COMMITTEE
15.1 There shall be appointed an Electoral Committee at the Annual Architects
Convention, upon the recommendation of the Executive Council.
15.2 The Committee shall organise and conduct elections at the succeeding General
Meeting at which elections shall be held.
15.3 The composition of the Electoral Committee shall be as prescribed in the Bye
Laws.
ARTICLE 16
16.0 QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTION
16.1 President
(i) The President shall have served as 1st Vice-President.
(ii) At the Annual Architects Convention preceding the election year, the 1st Vice
President shall be proclaimed the President-Elect.
(iii) In the event of disqualification, incapacity or other constraining circumstances
which inhibit the proclamation of the 1st Vice President as the President-Elect,
the 2nd Vice-President shall be proclaimed the President-Elect.
(vi) Notwithstanding (i), (ii) and (iii) above, if any constraining circumstance shall
arise that could prevent the President-Elect from being inaugurated as President,
a motion moved by ten (10) fellows of the Association and supported by 60% of
the Chartered Members and Fellows at a referendum organized as prescribed in
the Bye-Laws, not later than three months to his inauguration, shall truncate the
President-Elect’s inauguration as President. In his place, the 2nd Vice-President
shall be inaugurated as the President.
16.2 Inaugurating the President
At the inauguration of the President, the out-going President shall hand-over the
instrument and insignia of the office of The President to the Chairman, Board of
Trustees who shall in turn inaugurate the new President and invest him with the
said Instrument and insignia. Thereafter, The President shall inaugurate the other
elected officers.
16.3 1*’Vice-President
(i) The 1st Vice-President shall have served as 2nd Vice-President or 3rd Vice
President of the Association.
(ii) Notwithstanding (i) above any Fellow of the Association who satisfies the
requirements for election to the office of 2nd Vice-President, shall be eligible to
seek election as 1st Vice President.
16.4 2nd Vice-President;
(i) The 2nd Vice-President shall have served as 3rd Vice-President of the
Association.
(ii) Notwithstanding (i) above any Fellow of the Association who satisfies the
requirements for election to the office of 3rd Vice-President, shall be eligible to
seek election as 2nd Vice President.
16.5 3rd Vice-President
(i) The 3rd Vice-President shall fulfill the following conditions
(ii) He shall have been a Fellow or satisfied the conditions for admission to
fellowship as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
(iii) He shall have served in the Executive Council, Standing Committee(s) of the
Association or State Branch for at least ten years with at least 4(four) cumulative
years in Council.
(iv) There must be evidence of at least 60% attendance of meetings and activities in
which he is involved.
16.6 In the event of a vacancy occurring by reason of death, resignation, or the
provisions of the Bye-Laws, in the position of President, the 1st Vice President
shall be elevated to the position.
16.7 In the event of vacancy occurring by reason of death, resignation, or any
provision of the Bye-Laws, in the positions of 1s’, 2nd and 3rd Vice President
respectively, the position shall be filled by a Bye-Election in the manner
prescribed in the Bye Laws.
16.8 The National Secretary or National Treasurer shall have been a Fellow or
satisfied the conditions for admission to Fellowship of the association. In addition,
they must have satisfied the conditions prescribed in the Bye-Laws
16.9 Members seeking election to all other offices must have spent a minimum of five
(5) years as Chartered Members prior to the year of election. In addition, they
must have satisfied the conditions prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
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ARTICLE 17
17.0 FINANCES
17.1 The National Treasurer of the Association shall be responsible for mobilizing
funds and generating revenue for the Association.
17.2 The funds of The Association shall consist of subscription of members,
donations, grants, legacies, contributions, levies and the proceeds of sales and
of other revenue derived from the Association’s activities.
17.3 The Association may receive donations, grants or subsidies from outside its
membership subject to the approval or the consent of the Executive Council.
17.4 The Registration Fees and the Annual Subscriptions respectively for each Class
of membership shall be assessed as provided in the Bye-Laws. Subscriptions
shall be due for payment each year by the first day of January.
17.5 All payments to the Association shall be online or as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
17.6 The signatories to the Association’s account shall be the President, National
Secretary, National Treasurer and the Executive Secretary. These shall be
classified into A and B as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
17.7 The Executive Council shall approve periodically the appointment of auditors.
The Auditor’s Report shall be presented annually to the Executive Council, and
shall be circulated annually to all members of The Association. It shall be
presented at every Annual Architects Convention.
17.8 The Executive Council shall consider and approve the Annual Budget presented
by the National Treasurer at its first meeting of the Association’s financial year.
The Association’s Financial Year shall be as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
17.9 The Association shall indemnify the officers and employees of the Association in
respect of any action taken or any liability incurred by such officers or employees
for which they have express or implied authority to act on behalf of the
Association.
ARTICLE 18
18.0 SUBSCRIPTIONS
18.1 Registration fee for the appropriate class of membership shall become payable
on demand after the applicant has been advised about the decision of the
Executive Council on the application. Thereafter the annual subscription shall be
paid regularly when due and shall be a condition for the retention of membership.
Honorary Fellows shall be exempted from the payment of the registration fee or
annual subscription. Annual subscription shall be paid in advance and shall
become due on the 1st of January each year. The Registration fee and Annual
subscription for each class of membership shall be as prescribed in the ByeLaws.
18.2 A member who has attained the age of seventy years may be exempted from
further payment of annual subscription if he applies for such exemption, provided
that at the date of the application, he has paid all arrears of his subscription.
18.3 In exceptional cases of proven need which shall be established to the
satisfaction of the Executive Council, a member may at the discretion of the
Executive Council, be exempted from the payment of full annual subscription as
prescribed in the Bye-Laws for the class of membership to which he has been
elected. An application for such relief shall provide all such evidence as may be
required by the Executive Council, in considering the nature of his situation and
reaching a decision for partial or total exemption from the payment of
subscription. The decision of the Executive Council shall be final.
ARTICLE 19
19.0 DEFAULTERS
19.1 A member whose annual subscription or special levy prescribed by the Executive
Council is in arrears for a period in excess of the period prescribed in the ByeLaws or Executive Council Regulation, and who shall have been served by the
Executive Council, a notice in the manner prescribed thereof may be suspended
from membership until all the said arrears have been paid.
ARTICLE 20
20.0 RIGHT TO HOLD PROPERTIES
20.1 The Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects shall from time to time have
right to purchase, possess, hold and enjoy lands, tenements, hereditaments or
lease as may be required, decided by the Executive Council and approved by the
Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE 21
21.0 SPECIAL CLAUSE
21.1 The income and property of the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects
whenever derived, shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives
of the Association as set forth in this Constitution and Bye Laws and no portion
thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend,
bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to any member of The
Association.
PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith, or
reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the
ASSOCIATION in return for any service actually rendered to the ASSOCIATION
No remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth shall be given by
the ASSOCIATION to any Member, Trustees or Governing Body except
repayment of out of pocket expenses or honorarium or reasonable and proper
rent for premises demised, or let to the ASSOCIATION or reasonable fees for
services rendered.
ARTICLE 22
22.0 TRUSTEESHIP
22.1 The Trustees of The Association shall form a body corporate to be known as
THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN
CHARTERED ARCHITECTS. Its composition and the appointment of the
Trustees shall be in accordance with Article 6 above and as prescribed in the
Bye Laws, for the purpose of the Land (Perpetual successions) Ordinance
Chapter 98.
22.2 The Trustees shall have power to acquire, purchase, lease, hire, accept and hold
any movable or immovable property whatsoever and may grant, demise, alienate
and otherwise dispose of the same and may do all other things incidental and
appertaining to a body corporate, provided that the Trustees shall not alienate,
mortgage or demise any of the Association’s property without the authority of the
General Assembly.
22.3 The Trustees shall have power to hold such funds of the Association in trust as
may be agreed upon at a General Meeting from time to time.
22.4 The Trustees may be sued or shall sue on behalf of the Association under the
instruction of the General Assembly.
ARTICLE 23
23.0 THE COMMON SEAL. AND THE PRESIDENT’S INSIGNIA
23.1 The Trustees of the Association shall have a common seal, which shall be in the
custody of the National Secretary who shall produce it, without discretion, upon a
request for the use by the Trustees.
23.2 All documents to be executed by the Trustees shall be signed by the Chairman
and at least two (2) other Trustees and sealed with the common seal.
23.3 The President’s insignia shall be his / her symbol of authority. The insignia shall
be presented to him / her at inauguration by the Chairman, Board of Trustees. It
shall remain with him / her throughout his / her term but he shall surrender it to
the Board of Trustees upon the end of his / her term or upon being removed from
office.
23.4 The Common Seal and the President’s Insignia shall remain the properties of the
Board of Trustees for all time.
ARTICLE 24
24.0 PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
24.1 All members of The Association shall be bound by the Professional Code of
Conduct of the Association. Any case of alleged professional misconduct of any
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member shall first be referred to the Executive Council, who shall where
necessary appoint an Investigation Panel as prescribed in the Bye-Laws; in the
event that a prima facie case is established by the Investigating Panel, the matter
shall be referred to the Disciplinary Board for hearing after which the Disciplinary
Board’s recommendations shall be presented to The Executive Council for
implementation.
If the affected member is dissatisfied by Disciplinary Board’s decision it shall be
referred to the Board of Trustees for review. Whether confirmed or set aside, the
decision of the Board of Trustees shall be final.
24.2 Any member contravening the Professional Code of Conduct of the Association
or conducting himself in a manner which is inconsistent with the status of a
Chartered Architect or is derogatory to his professional character and engaging
in any occupation which In the opinion of the Executive Council is inconsistent
with the membership of the Association shall be liable to a sanction as prescribed
in the Bye-Laws.
ARTICLE 25
25.0 REPRESENTATION OF THE ASSOCIATION
The following shall be eligible to represent the Association if and whenever the need arises, in the order presented:
i) The President
ii) Chairman, Board of Trustees
iii) Immediate Past President
iv) 1st Vice-President
v) National Secretary
ARTICLE 26
26.0 REFERENDUM.
26.1 Wherever the term Referendum is used in this Constitution or a reference is
made to a decision of the General Assembly outside an Annual Architects
Convention, such decision shall take into consideration the opinion of all
Chartered Members, Fellows and Life Fellows of the Association expressed
through a vote cast using a secured portal in the Association’s website. The
manner of the Referendum shall be as prescribed in the Bye-Laws.
ARTICLE 27
27.0 STATE OF EMERGENCY
27.1 If in the opinion of at least two-third members of the Board of Trustees, there is a
breakdown of law and order in the Association or the administration and
management of the Association appears to be drifting without purpose and
direction, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees shall declare a State of
Emergency and the Board shall administer the affairs of the Association for a period not less than seven (7) days and not exceeding thirty (30) days.
27.2 During this period,
I) The Board may out of its discretion, through an instrument, suspend or allow
the President and Executive Council to function, as it shall direct.
ii) The Board may, through an instrument, summarily suspend or withdraw the
membership of any member of the Association
iii) For any instrument issued by the Board, pursuant to this Article, to be valid it
must be executed by the Chairman and at least three (3) other Trustees.
27.3 The President and Executive Council shall exercise the same emergency powers
over a District of the Association, after consultation with the Board of Trustees or
on the recommendation of the Board of Trustees.
27.4 For the avoidance of doubt, this Article addresses the social and political
cohesion of the Association and it is without prejudice to Article 23 which
addresses the professional conduct of members and protects the profession and
should therefore not be construed to be in conflict with it.
ARTICLE 28
28.0 BYE-LAWS AND INTERPRETAION
28.1 The Executive Council is empowered to make, amend and repeal all Bye Laws
referred to in this Constitution.
28.2 A resolution to create, amend or expunge a clause in the Bye-Laws shall require
a vote in which the resolution is carried by a 67% majority of all voting members
of the Executive Council for the time being, and shall take effect one month from
the date that it was published in the Association’s website.
28.3 Any amendment to the Bye-Laws shall be referred to the Board of Trustees for
confirmation. If the Board should object to an amendment or inclusion, the
specific clause or matter shall be referred back to the Executive Council for
reconsideration. If upon reconsideration, the Executive Council returns the clause
or matter in the original form, the Board may decide to over-ride the Executive
Council with a 75% majority decision of members of the Board. Otherwise the
decision of the Executive Council shall prevail.
28.4 In all cases the General Assembly may set aside any Bye-Law at an Annual
Architects Convention with a 67% majority decision of those present and entitled
to vote.
28.5 Any matter that is not expressly provided for in the Constitution and the ByeLaws shall be decided by the Executive Council which shall also decide, in case
of doubt, on the interpretation of the text.
ARTICLE 29
29.0 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
29.1 These Articles of the Constitution may be amended by way of omission or
addition at a General Meeting or by a Referendum provided that a notice of
motion shall have been given to the National Secretary in writing and published
in the Association’s website not less than three months prior to the date of the
General Meeting or the Referendum. The manner and validity of the resolution to
amend the Constitution shall be as prescribed in the Bye-Laws. In all cases, the
majority decision shall not be less than 67% of members entitled to vote at a
General Meeting and not less than 60% of the membership at a Referendum.
29.2 Upon receiving notice of a motion to amend the Articles of this Constitution, the
National Secretary shall within fourteen (14) days notify all members of the
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Executive Council. The Executive Council shall prepare a report on such
proposed amendments which the National Secretary shall publish on the
association’s website not less than three months prior to the General Meeting or
Referendum.
29.3 Any amendment to the Articles of the Constitution shall take effect two months
following the General Meeting or the Referendum at which such amendment is
adopted but not later that one month after its proclamation.
ARTICLE 30.
30.0 FINANCIAL YEAR
30.1 The Financial year of the Association is from 1 January to 31 December unless
the Board of Trustees decide to change the Association’s financial year.
ARTICLE 31.
31.0 RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
31.1 The rights of every member shall be limited by the provisions of this Constitution
and the Bye-Laws.
ARTICLE 32
32.0 PROCLAMATION
32.1 This Constitution and any amendment thereof shall come into effect upon being
proclaimed by the General Assembly or Referendum, as the case may be, and
being executed by the Chairman, Board of Trustee and at least the (2) other
Trustees.
Thereafter the amended Constitution shall be filed at the Corporate Affairs
Commission in accordance with the Act regulating Incorporated Trustees.
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32.2 This Constitution was proclaimed at the Meeting of ANCA held on Saturday, July
28th, 2018 at Links Hotel, Utako District, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
Arc. Theophilous C. Elendu – Trustee
Arc. Moukhtar M. Mai – Secretary (Trustees)
Arc. Justus O. Okah-Avae – Chair (Trustees)