Thursday, June 4, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Equipping professionals key to sustainable practice -IDAN

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L-R: Linda Adeyemi (Chair, Membership & Communications, IDAN); Abiodun Shonibare; Theresa Akpieyi (Secretary General, IDAN); Ademola Fagbile (Speaker); Jacqueline Aki a.k.a. Ai (President, IDAN); Charles Dairo (Speaker); Lanre Dapiver (Speaker); Adesuwa Oham; Cindy Ogene (Public Relations Officer, IDAN).

By Merit Ibe

The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) has underscored the importance of building systems and structures that position designers as entrepreneurs, as well as creatives for growth.

President of IDAN, Mrs Jacqueline Aki, made the emphasis during the association’s second CEO Roundtable in Lagos, where she pointed out the critical need to equip interior designers with tools and knowledge for running sustainable practice.

IDAN brought together leaders and innovators in Nigeria’s design ecosystem for its second CEO Roundtable of the year, with the theme: “Building the Engine – Operational Systems for Growth and Sustainability.”

The gathering addressed one of the most pressing needs of the profession, which is transforming creativity into structured enterprises that can scale and contribute meaningfully to the national economy.

In her address, Aki said: “At IDAN, we do not see our members merely as designers, we see them as businesses. This is why it is critical to equip ourselves with tools and knowledge for running sustainable practices.

“Roundtable provides a space for practical workshops, shared experiences, and lessons learned, enabling us to tackle industry pain points head-on.”

Workshops and interactive sessions guided participants through operational design, pricing, finance structures, and talent management. Members were tasked with developing system guides, checklists, and scoreboards, practical tools they can immediately implement in their firms.

Different speakers from the Industry highlighted the foundational pillars of sustainable business.

Charles Dairo, CEO of CKDigital, emphasised the value of simple, accountable systems in business growth: “Keep it simple, make someone responsible, and check your progress every week,” he said.