Since the inauguration of the NIA in 1960 and the creation of Lagos State in 1967 the Lagos State Chapter had functioned in the shadow of the main body. With increase in membership and the creation of States, it became expedient to decentralize the activities of the main body and thus in 1983 (Arc) Dr Wale Odeleye, the then 2nd Vice President of the Institute was mandated by Council to assist in reviving the Lagos State Chapter. He became the Chairman assisted by his many younger Colleagues who served in the Executive Committee at its maiden meeting venue at Art’s Place, Alagomeji.

Attendance by Architects who were resident in Lagos was usually high and programs were designed to benefit members professionally and socially. The Chapter also took on programs of public interest and marked its activities among building materials suppliers and manufacturers who always wanted to market their products among Architects. Such public activities by the Chapter included a Building Maintenance Management Seminar at the Sheraton Hotel on 7th- 8th November 1985 in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the NIA. The following year on Thursday 11th September 1986, at the same venue, the Chapter held another seminar titled “The Impact of the Second-Tier Foreign Exchange Market (SFEM) on the Construction industry”. At the Chapter’s Dinner in October 1988, Dr. (Mrs.) Aribisala, the then Director General of Raw Materials Development and Research Council was the Guest Speaker. Professor Wole Soyinka gave a lecture titled “New Buildings for the Old” as Guest of the Chapter at its post AGM luncheon on Thursday, 11th July 1991, an occasion where plaques were given to past Executive Officers as well as the Editor of The Guardian and its pioneer correspondent on properties Arc Paul Okunola. Tours were conducted for Chapter Members and Students to factories of building products including Agbara Estate, and Guest Speakers were invited occasionally to our regular monthly meetings.

The Architect in Focus was the Chapter’s Public Enlightenment Program to honour Senior Colleagues whose profile provided inspiration for the younger ones. Arc M. K. Alusi, fnia was the first Architect in the series (2nd May 1989). Others were Arc. Deji Oyenuga, fnia (25th October 1989), Professor John Godwin, fnia (24th May 1990), and Arc. Layi Balogun (24th October 1996). This was again revived in 2007 with the focus on Arc. Okunola Odusote. Arc Olufemi Majekodunmi in 2010 and Arc. Isaac Agbesua in 2012. The Executive Committee of the Chapter would select the Architect whose works would be exhibited at no cost to him/her and he/she would be the Guest of the Day where he/she will address the public on his/her life and career as an Architect. The programs was always rounded up with presentation of an award Plaque to the Architect in Focus.

In 1985, the Chapter initiated 2-weeks Lectures to prepare members for the NIA Professional Practice Examinations (NIAPPE). The program became very popular and it attracted Colleagues outside Lagos and the results over the years were most encouraging.

In order to re-energize participation in the Lagos State Chapter due to the apathy experienced for a period of time, a drive for increased membership was initiated in 2006 by sensitizing members, taking advantage of available e-networking channels through e-mails, bulk messages and other social media. This continued till 2008 when the Four Leaf Clover Plan was established to address the need of Architects and Architecture in Lagos with the action plan to make Architects more responsible and relevant while making Architecture more rewarding and renewable.

With the Four Leaf Clover Plan, programs embarked upon through seminars, workshops, trainings etc. has fostered the enlightenment and interest of the members, allied professions and the public in the affairs of Chapter, thereby steadily increasing the membership strength. There is also great bonding being witnessed amongst the members of the Chapter

The Lagos Architects’ Cooperative, one of the instruments of the Four Leaf Clover Plan that addresses the Architects needs for economic empowerment was founded 12th of March 2009 and duly registered under the Lagos State Laws governing Cooperative Societies Members were also brought together to relax and celebrate in an evening of music and entertainment, on a regular basis. This event has transformed to the yearly “End of the Year Gathering” for members

The Lagos Architects Forum (LAF) commenced in April 2009 as a major vehicle in establishing the objectives of the Four Leaf Clover Plan as enumerated above. The Forum has become an annual event that has grown and gained international recognition, serving as a melting point for Built Environment professionals, Construction Industry players, manufacturers, educators, as well as students of Environmental and Engineering sciences. An Awareness Walk tagged. “Lagos Architects’ Walk” was also introduced in 2018 to sensitize Lagosians about the role of Architects in the society and to allow physical walk-out amongst members who are always busy, the year round. The WALK has a central theme titled. “Every building must have an Architect. Who is Your Architect?”

Over the years, the Chapter produced various types of publications for the enlightenment and development of members By December 2016, these previous efforts were concerted into a standard publication of magazine for the chapter known as the Ekotecture Quarterly Magazine (EQ) Many editions have been produced with a compendium publication that has been presented at a number of special occasions.

The chapter has increasingly engaged and interacted with the Lagos State government and agencies involved with the built environment We’ve also seen an increased participation of members who are in the academia and the public sector There is active interaction with allied professionals and professional bodies in the built industry. The Chapter has also expanded by creating 2 branches, IKORODU and IKEJA, with a third branch at Badagry, in the making. Succeeding generations have kept the flag of the Nigerian Institute of Architects flying in the Lagos State Chapter.