Chapter Bye-Laws

1.1    The name of the Organization shall be known as the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Abuja Chapter. 

The Aims and objective of the organization shall be as follows:  

2.1 To foster friendship among members, cater for their interest and welfare and to establish mutual help and co-operative amongst them.  

2.2 To promote close co-operation between the Chapter, the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory and Federal Capital Development Authority in formulating new policies relating to the planning, development and maintenance of a healthy, and organized physical environment worthy of the Nation’s Federal Capital City and Territory. 

2.3 To enhance the image of the Architect in the FCT, develop and maintain public confidence in the ability and integrity of the Architect, by demanding from members of the Chapter the highest moral and professional standards.  

2.4 To give all possible support and co-operation to any Higher Institution in the Territory in various facets of academic and practical training of students of Architecture.  

2.5 To promote and encourage optimum and effective utilization of indigenous resources both human and material, in Architecture by both the public and private sectors of the economy.  

2.6 To promote co-operation between and contact with other State Chapters and the National body as well as with other professional bodies existing in the Territory.  

2.7 To encourage progressive ideas in the field of Architecture and the Environment as well as their practical application for the welfare of the community.  

2.8 To act as the official negotiating body for the profession and her members in the Territory in all matters of common interest or concern.  

2.9 To make all possible efforts to be actively involved in various decision making levels of society, both Governmental and non – Governmental and to encourage Architects to make the maximum contribution of their creative skills in the widest possible range of human activities for the benefit of Society.  

2.10 To raise public awareness in the Territory of the role and value of the Architect and his/her profession through Exhibitions, Publications, Lectures, Radio and Television talks and by any other public enlightenment programme considered appropriate.  

2.11 To encourage active participation of all classes of membership in relevant activities of the Chapter.  

2.12 To organize and administer a private benevolent fund for assisting its members in need, and in promoting the study of Architecture and for other charitable causes.  

2.13 To establish and maintain a Registered Cooperative Society in the Federal Capital Territory for the good and benefit of members of the Chapter. 

2.14 To encourage Architectural Education, Research and Development in all subject matters relevant and beneficial to Architects, Architecture and the Society at large. 

2.15 To carry out any other activities consistent with the above aims and objectives. 

3.1  Membership of the Chapter shall be open to all Architects resident in the Federal Capital Territory either in the public or private sector.  

3.2  To qualify for membership, one shall be Registrable by the National  

Secretariat of the Nigerian Institute of Architects in any of the following classes of membership: 

1. a) Student 

1. Architectural Technologist  
2. Graduate  
3. Associate  
4. Full  
5. Fellow

3.3   A member shall be required to register with the Chapter by causing his/her name to be entered into the Chapter’s Membership Database and be issued with an individual Database Management Number (DMN). The Secretary of the Chapter shall manage this Database as a record of the Chapter’s Membership and shall ensure that the entries therein are up to date and accurate. 

3.4  A physical Directory of members of the Chapter so registered in the manner prescribed under Article 3.3 shall be maintained by the Secretary of the Chapter at the Chapter’s Secretariat.

3.5    The Secretary shall see to it that all members of the Chapter since her founding and where possible are entered into the Chapter’s Membership Database and each assigned with an individual Database Management Number (DMN).

3.6    A member of the Chapter shall be required to be financially up to date in his/her Membership Subscription to the Chapter and actively involved in the activities of the Chapter.

3.7    A member shall be deemed to have been actively involved in the activities of the Chapter if during the term of office of each respective Executive Committee, the attendance of such member is shown to be not less than sixty (60) percent of the Chapter’s General Meetings preceding the Chapter’s Annual General Meeting and Biennial General Meeting respectively, the same being evidenced by the name and signature of such member on the attendance list maintained by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary for any such Chapter General Meeting.

3.8    Where a member’s attendance of the Chapter’s General Meetings falls below the sixty (60) percent threshold stipulated in Article 3.7, he/she shall remedy this by fulfilling any Standing Order(s) of the Chapter pertaining to Article 3.7.

3.9    Every member shall uphold the provisions of the Chapter’s Bye Laws and Standing Orders.

4.1  There shall be an annual subscription payable by every member of the Chapter, the amount of which shall be determined from time to time by the Executive Committee and approved by a General Meeting.  

4.2  Annual subscriptions shall become due on the 1st of January, each year.  

4.3  Exemptions from Articles 4.1 and 4.2 above shall be determined by the Executive Committee of the Chapter and approved by a General Meeting.

5.1  Any member whose annual subscription is in arrears for a period in excess of one year, and who shall have been served a notice to that effect by the Secretary may be suspended or expelled from membership until the arrears have been paid.  

5.2  A member who is expelled from membership under Article 5.1 above may be reinstated by the Executive Committee which may require such a person to pay a re-entry fee for such amount as shall be determined by the Executive Committee, and all arrears of subscriptions or levies which were due at the date of the expulsion and all or any part of the cost incurred by the Chapter in consequence of his/her default. 

6.1  The Headquarters of the Chapter shall at all times be in Abuja

7.1  Branches may be formed where there exists in a locality a minimum of twenty (20) registrable Architects subject to Article 3.  

7.2  Such branches shall be part of the Chapter and be governed by the Bye laws of the Chapter.  

7.3  Formation of branches shall be at the discretion of or by a request to the Executive Committee of the Chapter and shall receive the approval of the Annual General Meeting.

8.1  Representation of the Chapter within the Territory shall be by any member duly appointed by the Executive Committee. Representation of the Chapter at National and International levels shall be by a full member or a fellow of the Institute.  

8.2  Any member or members representing the Chapter on any Body shall submit regular or periodic reports of their activities on such body individually or collectively to the Secretary for the information of the Executive Committee.  

8.3  Such members shall retain their positions on such organization only at the discretion of the Executive Committee and in accordance with the provisions in the Bye laws. They shall be replaced at the request of the Executive Committee of the Chapter, which shall notify the organization concerned accordingly.

9.1  The following Honorary Officers and members of the Executive Committee of the Chapter shall be elected by nomination and ballot at the Biennial General Meeting from among Full Members or Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects who shall be members of the Chapter in accordance with Article 3 of these Bye Laws:

(a) Chairman
(b) Vice Chairman
(c) Secretary
(d) Treasurer
(e) Assistant Secretary
(f) Public Relations Officer
(g) Social Secretary
(f) Chair, Admissions Committee
(g) Chair, Library and Publications Committee
(h) Chair, Practice Committee
(i) Chair, Electoral Committee
(j) Two Ex-officio members

9.2     The following Honorary Officers and members of the Executive Committee of the Chapter shall be appointed by the Executive Committee on assumption of office at the Biennial General Meeting from among Full Members or Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects who shall be members of the Chapter in accordance with Article 3 of these Bye Laws. Their appointments (except for that of the 2nd and 3rd Assistant Secretaries) shall be done no later than thirty (30) days after the commencement of the term of office of the Executive Committee and be approved at the first Chapter General Meeting within this thirty-day period or the one immediately after it:

(a) Chair, Education Committee
(b) Chair, Disciplinary Committee
(c) 2nd and 3rd Assistant Secretaries

9.3    The Chairman, the Vice Chairman and Secretary shall have served in the Executive Committee or any of the Sub-Committees for at least 4 years.

9.4    All offices shall be held for twenty-four calendar months. Any vacancy that occurs through resignation, death, or removal shall be filled by:

(a) the Electoral Committee of the Chapter through the conduct of a Bye Election at a General Meeting where the vacancy is for an elected position and
(b) the Executive Committee where the vacancy is for a position by appointment by the Executive Committee, this being subject to ratification by a General Meeting.

9.5    Every officer is elected to a single term of twenty-four calendar months and is eligible thereafter for re-election to a single term only of that same office. His/her functions are as defined in the Bye laws.

9.6    On the completion of his/her term of office, the out-going Chairman and Secretary shall serve as Ex-officio members for another term of twenty-four calendar months only on the Executive Committee.

9.7    The Chairman shall take the chair at the Annual Meeting and all other general meetings of the Chapter as well as meetings of the Executive Committees when he/she is present.

9.8    The Vice Chairman shall deputize for the Chairman and shall act in the absence of the Chairman and shall perform any other duties assigned to him/her.

9.9    The Secretary directs and controls the Secretariat and shall administer the affairs of the Chapter in conformity with these Articles, the Standing Orders of the Chapter and the directives of the Executive Committee.

9.10    The Assistant Secretary shall assist the Secretary and perform all his/her duties in the cause of his/her absence.

9.11    The Executive Council may appoint a 2nd and 3rd Assistant Secretary subject to ratification at a General Meeting. Their duty shall be to support the duties of the Secretary and Assistant Secretary and to carry out the directives of the Executive Committee.

9.12  The Executive Council may appoint (an) Administrative Officer(s) to oversee the day to day running of the Chapter’s Secretariat with an entitlement to be remunerated for such services.
His/her/their duties shall be as specified by the Executive Committee.

9.13    The Treasurer shall keep all monies due to the Chapter and keep an accurate record. He/she shall deposit all monies received, with the Bank within 48 hours of receipt except on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

9.14  The Social Secretary shall organize and co-ordinate all official and social activities of the Chapter. He/she shall also perform functions as may be directed by the Executive.

9.15   The PRO shall be the image – maker of the Chapter and shall publicize the Chapter’s activities.
He/she shall liaise with the media in promoting and propagating the Chapter’s activities.

9.16    Ex-officio members shall assist the Executive Committee and perform other duties as may be assigned to them by the Executive Committee.

9.17    All Honorary Officers of the Chapter shall head a Standing Committee to enable and ensure the carrying out of the responsibilities and activities of their office and co-opt any Chapter member to serve in such committee subject to the ratification of the Executive Committee.

9.18    The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be members of all committees of the Chapter. The Secretary of the Chapter shall find him/herself represented through the Secretary elected by members of each committee of the Chapter.

9.19    The Chair, Electoral Committee, though a member of the Executive Committee shall not sit in person at the meetings of the Executive Committee but shall be deemed to be in attendance by virtue of office at such meetings for record purposes but not for the outcomes or decisions of such meetings. His/her opinions on the activities of the Executive Committee shall be communicated in writing and in such a manner that is open and available to any member of the Chapter.

9.20    The activities and programmes of the committees shall be the responsibility of their respective Chairs and be subject to the provisions of the Chapter’s Bye Laws.

9.21    The Honorary Officers of the Chapter shall be elected in the month in which they were first elected or where the circumstance requires, in accordance with Article 9.4. For the purposes of these Bye Laws, the month in the Biennial in which the Honorary Officers shall be elected is July.

10.1  The Chair and Secretary of the Electoral Committee shall be nominated and appointed by the General Meeting at least three (3) Months prior to Elections. Both their terms shall run concurrently and be for twenty-four calendar months. Their terms shall be renewed by the General Meeting on their expiration subject to their willingness to continue in office for a period not exceeding three (3) terms.  

10.2  In event of the office of either the Chair or Secretary of the Electoral Committee becoming vacant before the expiration of their terms and for any reason, the General Meeting shall nominate and appoint a replacement to serve the remaining term of office with such an appointee having the right thereafter to a first term in the same office or the other. They shall enjoy the continuity of office prescribed under Article 10.1.  

10.3  In the event that any member of the Chapter is appointed to either of the two (2) offices while the other is being held, the end of term of the latter appointee shall be reckoned together with the end of term of the appointee in office first. 

10.4  The Electoral Committee shall be composed of seven members of the Chapter. The Chair and Secretary shall be Full Members or Fellows of the Institute.  

10.5  The Chair and Secretary shall nominate a member each and the General Meeting shall nominate three (3) members from any of the other Membership Classes of the Institute to serve on the Electoral Committee. 

10.6  The Electoral Committee shall organize and conduct the elections at the Biennial General Meeting or in accordance with Article 9.4(a) and present a report on the conduct of the elections therein after to the Executive Committee at the next General Meeting after such elections.

11.1  The Electoral Committee shall conduct all elections and bye – elections of the Chapter in accordance with the rules published by her prior to any scheduled election. 

11.2  Elections shall be by secret ballot  

11.3  Elections shall be at a Biennial General Meeting except in the circumstance described in Articles  9.4(a) and 27. 

11.4  Only Full Members and Fellows who are financial members of the Chapter may sponsor, vote or be voted for at the Biennial General Meeting or bye-elections required under Articles 9.4(a) and 27. 

11.5  Eligibility of members of the Chapter who may sponsor, vote or be voted for shall be subject to Articles 3, 4, 5, and 9 of these Bye-Laws.

12.1  The Management of the affairs of the Chapter shall be vested in an Executive Committee comprising all elected members and Chairmen of all standing Sub – Committees.  

12.2  The Committee is empowered to co-opt any other member who in its opinion may be of special assistance to the deliberations of the Committee.  

12.3  The Committee shall meet at least once in two (2) months at a venue and date which shall have been decided at the previous Committee meeting, but if it is not so decided, the venue and date shall be determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Chairman.  

12.4  The quorum at Executive Committee Meeting shall be a-third of members (to the nearest whole number) entitled to attend and vote.  

12.5  The Executive Committee’s decisions shall be made by a simple majority of votes, except in special cases specified in the Bye laws.

13.1  General Meetings shall be held once every two (2) months. 

13.2  The Annual General Meeting shall be held once every year. The Executive Committee shall determine the venue and date. The meeting shall be convened by the Secretary by giving at least a one-month notice to members.

13.3 The business of the Annual General Meeting shall include:

(a) receiving reports from the Executive Committee on the affairs and finances of the Chapter including the Auditors’ Report since their last Annual General Meeting.
(b) approving a programme of activities and budget for the next calendar year.
(c) electing a new Executive Committee (biennially).
(d) the Chairman’s brief on contemporary happenings, policies and events at the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and the Architects’ Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) or any matter of relevance to members and the Chapter.
(e) and any other business of which at least one month’s notice has been given to the Secretary for such matter to be deliberated on at the General Meeting.

13.4    Where in the estimation of a member or members of the Chapter a matter is deemed to be of significant importance and merits being considered under Article 13.3(e) but falls outside the time period stipulated therein, the matter shall be included for deliberation if after the Annual General Meeting has been called to order and quorum formed, it receives a simple majority of votes from members present for it to be put on the agenda of the General Meeting under any other business.

13.5    The quorum of the Annual General Meeting or any other General Meeting shall be one – fifth (to the nearest whole number) of the registered members of the Chapter who are in good financial standing with her.

13.6    An Emergency General Meeting shall be summoned by the Secretary on receiving a written request signed by at least one-third of registered members of the Chapter or at the request of the Executive Committee stating clearly the Agenda for the meeting.

14.1  The Executive Committee is empowered to establish, amalgamate, disband or reconstitute any Board, Sub – Committee (except Standing Sub – Committees of the Chapter) and Ad – hoc Committee of the Chapter and to appoint or dismiss any or all of the members thereof as may be deemed necessary for the work of the Chapter and the management of her affairs.  

14.2  Any such Board, Sub – Committee and Ad – hoc Committee shall be constituted or reconstituted by the Executive Committee and be given such terms of reference as the Executive Committee may decide or at the direction of the General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall notify the Chapter on the establishing or disbanding of such Boards, Sub –Committees and Ad – hoc Committees as well as their respective terms of reference at the next General Meeting following their establishing or disbanding. 

14.3  Each Board, Sub – Committee or Ad – hoc Committee may co – opt any member of the Chapter to its membership subject to ratification by the Executive Committee. Their members may also be elected by the General Meeting or appointed by the Executive Committee for such purposes as may be required. 

14.4  Additional Standing Sub – Committees of the Chapter may be established by the Chapter by amending Article 14.6 in accordance with the procedure for amendment prescribed within these Bye Laws.  

14.5  Sub – Committees shall elect their own secretaries from their members. The Chairmen of all Standing Sub – Committees shall be elected at the Biennial General Meeting (except that of Education and Discipline who shall be appointed by the Executive Committee) or where the circumstances require, in accordance with Article 9.4.

14.6  The Standing Sub – Committees of the Chapter shall be:

(a) Admissions Sub – Committee
(b) Disciplinary Sub – Committee
(c) Education Sub – Committee
(d) Electoral Committee
(e) Finance Committee
(f) Library and Publication Sub – Committee
(g) Practice Sub – Committee
(h) Public Relations Committee
(i) Socials and Welfare Committee

15.1  The Executive Committee is empowered to make, amend and repeal standing orders as it may deem necessary, for admission and suspension from membership; the nomination of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other Honorary Officers of the Chapter; the rules, guidelines and procedures for administering the affairs of the Chapter; the conduct of referenda; the assessment and collection of subscriptions; the procedure for constituting and managing boards, and sub-committees, and other similar matters.  

15.2  A resolution to create, amend or expunge a Standing Order shall require a vote in which the resolution is carried by a simple majority of all voting members of the Executive Committee for the time being, and shall take effect at the General Meeting immediately after the date that all full members of the Chapter shall have been given notice thereof, provided that not more than a-third of the full members shall have notified the Secretary of their objections prior to or at the General Meeting referred to in this Article.  

15.3  Anything that is not provided for in the Bye laws and the Standing Orders will be decided by the Executive Committee, which shall interpret in case of doubt. Their interpretation shall constitute a Standing Order.

15.4  The Secretary shall cause the current Standing Orders of the Chapter to be published in a form approved by the Executive Committee for the information and or distribution to members of the Chapter no later than thirty (30) days after

(a) the commencement of the term of office of the Executive Committee.
(b) the commencement of the second calendar year of the Executive Committee’s term of office.
(c) a change has been made to the earlier and subsisting Standing Orders of the Chapter in accordance with Articles 15.1 and 15.2 anytime during the term of office of the Executive Committee.

15.5  In addition to the provisions of these Bye Laws, the Standing Orders of the Chapter shall be deemed as part of the governing and operational guidelines of the Chapter, it being derived from and in accordance to these Bye Laws.

16.1  The funds of the Chapter shall consist of subscriptions of members, donations, grants, legacies, contributions, levies and the proceeds of sales and other revenue from the Chapter’s activities. 

16.2  The Chapter may receive donations, grants or subsidies from outside its membership subject to approval or consent of the Executive Committee.  

16.3  The registration fees and the annual subscription respectively for members shall be assessed as provided for in the Bye laws, the basis having been reviewed and adjusted by the Executive Committee for the approved programmes of activities and budget for the calendar year in Article 

13.3(b). Subscriptions shall be due for payment each year by the 1st of January.  

16.4  All monies of the Chapters shall be deposited by the Treasurer within 2 working days with a Bank approved by the Executive Committee.  

16.5  The signatories to the Chapter’s account shall be the Chairman, Treasurer and the Secretary. Any two of these may operate the Chapter’s account.  

16.6  The Executive Committee shall approve annually the appointment of Auditors. The Auditor’s 

Report shall be presented annually to the Executive Committee and to the Annual General Meeting.  

16.7  The Treasurer shall cause books of accounts to be kept and shall arrange for annual account of income and expenditure to be prepared and audited and presented to the Executive Committee for approval. The financial year shall be from 1st January, to 31st December.  

16.8  The Chapter shall indemnify the officers and employees of the Chapter in respect of any action taken or any liability incurred by such officers or employees for which they have the express or implied authority to act on behalf of the Chapter.

17.1  The Chapter shall from time to time, have the right to acquire, purchase, possess, hold, and enjoy lands, tenement, hereditaments as may be required and decided by the Executive Committee, subject to the provisions of Article 13.3(b). This right shall be exercised through the Trustees of the Chapter. 

17.2.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 17.1 and where the circumstances require a timely decision to be taken by the Executive Committee outside the provisions of Article 13.3(b), the Executive Committee may exercise her discretion in favour and to the benefit of the Chapter in such circumstances. The exercise of this discretion shall been termed a Special Standing Order whose invocation shall be notified to the Chapter at the next General Meeting for approval by a simple majority of those in attendance after quorum for the meeting has been formed.

17.3  The expenditure of the Chapter’s finances in the exercise of Article 17.2 shall not exceed 20% of the Chapter’s unbudgeted funds. Where the Treasurer notifies the Executive Committee that the expenditure shall exceed 20% of the Chapter’s unbudgeted funds

(a) the Executive Committee shall direct the Secretary to call for an Emergency General Meeting of the Chapter to receive the approval of the General Meeting or
(b) the Executive Committee shall receive the approval of the Chapter at her next scheduled General Meeting.

17.4  The General Meeting shall reserve the right to amend the percentage limit of the Special Standing Order of Article 17.3 at any time based on the recommendations of the Executive Committee.

18.1  The Income and Property of the Chapter whenever derived, shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives of the Chapter as set forth in this Bye Laws and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of profit, to any member of the Chapter.  

18.2  Provided that nothing herein shall prevent the payment, in faith, or reasonable and proper remuneration of any servant or salaried employee of the Chapter whether or not he/she is a member in return for any service actually rendered to the Chapter, no monies shall be paid by the Chapter to any Honorary Officer or member for services rendered except in repayment of monies certified as spent for and on behalf of the Chapter.

19.1  There shall be formed a body corporate to be known as THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS – ABUJA CHAPTER and shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved at a General Meeting of the Chapter for the purpose of the Land (Perpetual Succession) Ordinance Chapter 98.  

19.2  The Trustees shall have the power to acquire, lease, hire, accept and hold in trust any movable and immovable property whatsoever and may do all other things incidental and appertaining to a body corporate, or demise any of the Chapter’s property with the authority of the Executive Committee and the General Meeting.  

19.3  Such funds of the Chapter as may be agreed upon by the Executive Committee and the General Meeting from time to time shall be vested in the Trustees.  

19.4  The Trustees may be sued or shall sue on behalf of the Chapter under the instruction of the Executive Committee and the General Meeting.  

19.5  Such Trustees (hereafter referred to as the Trustees) shall be five (5) in number including the Chairman of the Board and shall be citizens of Nigeria with at least 10 years’ full membership of the Institute and shall fulfil the requirements of Article 3 of these Bye Laws. The Chairman shall be appointed by the Executive Committee  

19.6  Trustees shall hold office for three (3) calendar years, renewable for a single term thereafter. They may be reappointed after the expiration of the term of office of any succeeding Board of Trustees to the last term served by them. A Trustee shall cease to old office if he:

(a) Resigns his/her office voluntarily.
(b) Ceases to be member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects – Abuja Chapter.
(c) Becomes medically unfit.
(d) Is officially declared bankrupt.
(e) Is convicted of a criminal offense involving dishonesty by a tribunal or court of competent jurisdiction.
(f) Is recommended for removal from any office of the Chapter by two-third of members present at any General Meeting.
(g) Ceases to reside in Abuja.
(h) Dies.

19.7    Upon a vacancy occurring in the number of the Trustees, the Executive Committee shall nominate another Trustee and shall be approved at a General Meeting.

19.8    A Register of Trustees of the Chapter showing the names, addresses and any other Particulars as may be directed by the Executive Committee shall be maintained by the Secretary at the Chapter’s Secretariat.

20.1  The Trustees shall have a Common Seal, which shall be in the custody of the Secretary who shall produce it when required for the use by the Trustees.  

20.2  All documents to be executed by the Trustees shall be signed by each of them and sealed with the Common Seal.

21.1  All members of the Chapter shall be bound by the Professional Code of Conduct and Ethics as published by the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.  

21.2  The Executive Committee of the Chapter may recommend any erring members/firm to the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Institute of Architects for appropriate discipline.  

21.3  The Executive Committee reserves the right to uphold, reject or modify the recommendations of the Chapter’s Disciplinary Sub-Committee. In all matters of discipline, the decision of the Executive Committee shall be binding until an appeal by the aggrieved person shall be considered by the General Meeting which may reverse or modify the Executive Committee’s decision by a two-third majority vote (to the nearest whole number) of the members present at the meeting.

22.1  A member may resign his membership or office upon giving a one-month written notice to the Secretary. Such resignation shall be valid from the date of its ratification by the Executive Committee.

23.1  A member of the Chapter may be suspended from membership if his/her subscription falls in arrears for a period exceeding one year.  

23.2  A member may be expelled on a vote of two-thirds (to the nearest whole number) majority of members at a General Meeting.

24.1  A member who resigned his/her membership of the Chapter may re-apply by going through the due process of admission, paying his or her normal subscription, any outstanding dues or any other payments that the Executive Committee desires. No further entrance fee shall be paid for readmission, but such re-admission shall require the Executive Committee’s approval.

25.1  The amendments to these Bye laws shall only be at the Annual General Meeting of the Chapter or Special General Meeting provided the amendment to be considered is placed on the agenda and circulated to members of the Chapter.  

25.2  The amendment shall be made by a two-third (to the nearest whole number) majority decision of the General Meeting, and shall receive the written approval of the National Executive Council of the Institute before it takes effect.

26.1  The Chapter shall remain independent of any political, cultural, social or religious organization.  

26.2  The Executive Committee shall recommend to the General Meeting on matters in respect of affiliation to or membership of any organization. Such recommendation shall have been included in the agenda giving at least one-month notice in writing to all members, and shall require at least two-thirds (to the nearest whole number) majority vote of the full members present at the meeting.  

26.3  The Secretariat of the Chapter shall maintain a register of bodies or Organizations to which the Chapter is affiliated to or a member of. 

26.4  The Secretariat of the Chapter shall maintain a register of professional Organizations with which the Chapter has reciprocal arrangements.  

26.5  All affiliations to, membership of and reciprocal arrangements shall be in conformity with the Constitution and Bye Laws of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

27.1  The Executive Committee of the Chapter may be dissolved at any time if a decision to that effect is made by two-thirds (to the nearest whole number) of the members of the Chapter.  

27.2  In the event of the dissolution of the Executive Committee of the Chapter, a Caretaker Committee of not more than seven people appointed by the Board of Trustees shall manage the outstanding affairs of the Chapter for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days or for such a period prescribed by the Chapter in her exercise of Article 27.1 until a new Executive Committee is reconstituted in accordance with Article 9.4(a). 

27.3  The Electoral Committee shall ensure that elections into all offices of the Chapter are held no later than the term allowed the Caretaker Committee under Article 27.2. 

27.4  The Honorary Officers elected and those appointed by virtue of Articles 27.3 and 14.5 respectively shall meet all eligibility requirements for the offices to be held and serve out the remainder of the term of the erstwhile Honorary Officers. They are eligible for re-election or appointment to a first term of the same or another office in the Executive Committee thereafter. 

27.5  In the event that the decision of the Chapter under Article 27.1 is extended to include the Electoral Committee of the Chapter, the requirement of Article 27.3 shall by exercised by the Board of Trustees of the Chapter in accordance with Article 11.

28.1  The Official language of the Chapter shall be English.

29.1  The General Patron of the Chapter shall be the political Head of the Federal Capital Territory.  

29.2  There shall be Patrons of the Chapter, the number and who shall be decided by the Executive Committee and approved at an Annual General Meeting.

29.3  Patrons shall be appointed for a term of three (3) calendar years and may serve for no more than two (2) terms.

30.1  The Executive Committee shall be empowered to give interim interpretations to articles of these Bye Laws where the circumstances require. However, where any contest to her interpretations arise, such shall be referred to the next General Meeting which shall make a ruling on the interpretations and actions taken on account of it.