Arc. Dr Ben Ugochukwu Iwuagwu

Arc. Dr Ben Ugochukwu Iwuagwu

Lecturer I

BSc., MSc., PhD
Emailben.iwuagwu@futo.edu.ng

Biography

Arc. (Dr.) Ben Iwuagwu was born into the Iwuagwu’s family of Amachara Umudiawa, in Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, over Four decades ago. He is a devote Christian of Anglican extraction whose activities in the church cannot be overemphasized. He attended Umudiawa Community Primary School for his Primary Education; Ohuhu Community Secondary School for his Secondary Education and proceeded to Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria in the year 2000 where he bagged BSc and MSc Architecture in 2004 and 2006 respectively. In quest of more knowledge, on the 22nd of May 2017 to be precise, he bagged his PhD in Architecture from Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

Arc. Dr Ben Iwuagwu has taught in several institutions of higher learning such as Imo State Technological Skill Acquisition Centre Orlu, Imo State, 2006 – 2007; Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, 2007 – 2018; Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, 2018 till date. He has held several positions of trust such as Head of Department, Architecture, Abia State Polytechnic, 2014 – 2017; Member Executive Committee, Nigerian Institute of Architects Abia State Chapter; Member Management Committee to oversee the development of Abia State Polytechnic, Osisioma Campus; Member Abia State Polytechnic Journal and Research Committee; Member Committee on Development of Master Plan for Abia State Polytechnic, Osisioma Campus, Aba; Member Management Planning Committee on ‘‘Flag-off Ceremony of Abia State Polytechnic, Osisioma Campus’’ by the Executive Governor of Abia State;  Member Management Committee on Establishment of Water Processing Plant in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba;      Member Management Committee on Establishment of Micro-Finance Bank in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba among others.              

Dr Ben Iwuagwu has 2 book chapters to his credit, 16 international journal articles, 21 international conference papers. He is an editorial member of 9 international journals and has attended 37 local and international conferences in countries like the USA, UK, Italy, UAE etcetera. His major awards include outstanding paper award at the 8th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology Organized by American Academy of Sciences, held in Houston, USA and the Universal Researchers in Civil and Architecture Engineering (URCAE) 2015 Reviewers Committee Outstanding Service Award 2016.

He is a member of the Nigerian institute of architects (NIA) and member of Association of Architectural Educators in Nigeria (AARCHES). In 2013 Arc. Dr Ben Iwuagwu founded an architectural consultancy firm LANDMARK PROJECTS which have been widely consulted. He also founded a vibrant construction company, IBU CONSTRUCTION LIMITED, which is currently handling projects for governments and individuals in the Abia and Imo axis of South Eastern Nigeria.  His companies LANDMARK PROJECTS and IBU CONSTRUCTION LIMITED have completed:

  • Design and Supervision of over 250 Nurses Quarters across the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State for Abia State Government.
  •  Design and Supervision of over 250 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State for Abia State Government.
  • Design and Supervision of over 250 Classroom Blocks across the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State for Abia State Government.
  • Supervision of over 200 Classroom Blocks Renovation across the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State for Abia State Government.
  • Supervision of over 200 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) Renovation across the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State for Abia State Government.
  • Design and supervision of over 100 residential (commercial and private) house across Nigeria.
  • Design of the proposed Aba Industrial Cluster, Aba, for Abia State Government.
  • Design of Department of Hospitality Management for Nigerian Navy School of Logistics and Finance, Owerrinta, Abia State. And the list continues.

Arc. Dr Ben Iwuagwu is happily married with 5 well-created children from God Almighty.

 

Honours/Awards

  • Outstanding paper award at the 8th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology Organized by American Academy of Sciences, held in Houston, USA. June 6 – 10, 2016.
  • Universal Researchers in Civil and Architecture Engineering (URCAE) 2015 Reviewers Committee Outstanding Service Award

Experience

  • 2018 – To date. Lecturer I, Dept. of Architecture Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • 2016 – 2018. Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Architecture Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
  • 2013 – 2015. Lecturer I, Department of Architecture Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
  • 2010 – 2012. Lecturer II, Department of Architecture Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
  • 2007 – 2009. Lecturer III, Department of Architecture Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
  • 2006 – 2007. Assistant Lecturer, Department of Building Technology, Imo State Technological Skill Acquisition Centre Orlu. (N.Y.S.C.)
  • 2011–Till Date. MDGs/SDGs Consultant Architect on Civil Works, for Abia State Government.
  • 2007–2010. Resident Architect
  • 2010–2013. Architect
  • 2013 – Till Date.Director, Landmark Projects, 41 Nkporo Lane/Uzuakoli Road, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
  • 2018 – Till Date: Director IBU Construction Limited, 17 Umuokpara Street, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

Research Interest

  • Housing and Urban Renewal, Green Architecture, Traditional
  • African Architecture, Affordable HousingAlternative Materials,
  • Zero Energy Buildings and Preservation, Restoration &
  • Reconstruction of Earthen Buildings.

Publications

  1. Iwuagwu, B.U; Onyegiri, I & Iwuagwu, B.C. (2017). Minimizing Environmental Pollution and the Effects in Nigeria through Green Design and Green Buildings. In Environmental Science and Technology (2016) Vol. 1 (ISBN: 978-1-5323-2259-4), American Science Press, Houston, USA.
  2. Iwuagwu, B.U; Onyegiri, I & Iwuagwu, B.C. (2016). Reducing Global Warming in Africa through Traditional African Architecture: Challenges and the Way Forward. In Environmental Science and Technology (2016) Vol. 2 (ISBN: 978-1-5323-2260-0), American Science Press, Houston, USA.
  3. Iwuagwu, B.U (2018). Improving the housing supply in the urban slums of Nigeria through the use of Earth Construction Technology. A study of Aba South LGA of Abia State. AARCHES Journal 2018(1) 101-110.
  4. Iwuagwu, B.U and Onyegiri, I (2019).Analysing the Challenges of designing Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and retrofitting of the existing housing stock in Nigeria: A study of South-Eastern Nigeria. Materials Science and Engineering 609 (2019) 072072. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/609/7/072072.
  5. Iwuagwu, B. U& Nwankwo, S. I(2018). Increasing housing affordability in Aba metropolis: A panacea for the healthy living environment. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation  (2018) 3:4  https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-018-0033-5
  6. Nwankwo, S. I; Iwuagwu, B. U and Okonkwo, M. M. (2017). Assessment of Nature and Extent of Post-Occupancy Modification of Public Buildings in Trans-Egbu Housing Estate Owerri Nigeria. Journal of Nigerian Institute of Architects Enugu Chapter 7(1) 73-86.
  7. Iwuagwu, B.U andOnyegiri, I (2017). Bridging the gap between low-cost housing demand, supply and affordability in Nigeria through the use of indigenous building materials.Journal of Sustainable Human Settlement and Housing 1(1): 55-64
  8. Iwuagwu, B.U; Onyegiri, I & Iwuagwu, B.C. (2016). Unaffordable Low-Cost Housing as an Agent of Urban Slum Formation in Nigeria: How the Architect can help. International Journal of Sustainable Development 11 (2) 5-16.
  9. Iwuagwu, B.U; Iwuagwu, B.C. & Onyegiri, I. (2016). An Appraisal of Entrepreneurship Education curriculum in Departments of Architecture in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: A study of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Nigeria. International Advanced Journal of Teaching and Learning. 2 (9) 63-71.
  10. Iwuagwu, B.U; Onyegiri, I & Iwuagwu, B.C. (2016). Urban Slum Development in Nigeria: A Study of Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State. International Journal of Management and Applied Sciences (IJMAS) 2 (8) (special issue 1), 48-52.
  11. Iwuagwu, B.U. & Ikechukwu, Onyegiri (2016). Traditional Building Materials as a Resource and Material for Low-Cost Housing in Nigeria: Advantages, Challenges and the way forward. International Journal of Research in Chemical, Metallurgical and Civil Engineering. (IJRCMCE) 3(2)
  12. Iwuagwu, B.U; Achugbu, C & Ukaegbe U. (2016). The Challenges and Prospect of Implementing Housing Policies in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Research in Education, Technology & Social Strategies, 2 (1) 61-67.
  13. Iwuagwu, B.U; Azubuine, C.E & Chigbu, N. (2015). Traditional Building Materials: African Advantage on Green Buildings and Global Warming. Abiapoly Journal of Business, Management, Science and Technology, 1(6) 1-23
  14. Iwuagwu, B.U; Azubuine, C.E &Eme-Anele, N.C (2015). The Hopes and Challenges of using Computers as Alternative to Drawing Boards for the Training of Architecture Students in Nigeria. Journal of Educational Policy and Entrepreneurial Research (JEPER), 2 (9)
  15. Iwuagwu, B.U & Iwuagwu, B.C.M (2015). Local Building Materials: Affordable Strategy for Housing the Urban Poor in Nigeria. Procedia Engineering, 118: 42-49.
  16. Iwuagwu, B.U & Iwuagwu, B.C.M (2014). Mandatory six Months Industrial Training for Architecture Students in Universities: A need for an extension. SCSR Journal of Development (SCSR-JD). 1 (1)
  17. Iwuagwu, B.U & Eme-Anele, N.C (2012). CAD: A Necessary Inclusion in Architectural   Curriculum in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovations in Environmental Science and Technology. 2 (1)
  18. Iwuagwu, B.U & Eme-Anele, N.C (2012).Earth Construction Technology and Design:      A Positive Solution to Mass Housing In Africa. International Journal of Scientific Innovations and Sustainable Development. 2 (2).

Academic Qualification

  • PhD Architecture 2017
  • Full Member NIA 2017
  • MSc Architecture 2006
  • BSc Architecture 2004
  • WASSCE 1998
  • FSLC 1991

 

 

Courses Assigned to Teach

  • ARC 311: Architectural Design III
  • ARC 341: Building Components and Method II
  • ARC 405: Theory of Architecture I
  • ARC 861A: Advanced Building Services I

Affiliations

  • Member Nigerian Institute of Architects
  • Member Architectural Educators in Nigeria