Welcome to Where it's AT | the Architectural Technology Podcast

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT speaks with Elizabeth Olubaju, a CIAT Fellow, chartered architect, and founder of Lizben Consult, about what chartership means as a commitment to professionalism, competence, ethics, and public trust. Elizabeth shares her route into architecture in Nigeria, her studio-led training at Ambrose Alli University, and her NYSC community road rehabilitation project in Akwa Ibom that won state and national awards. She explains why she chose CIAT and describes how CIAT chartership helped her establish credibility in the UK as an internationally trained professional by reducing the need to repeatedly justify qualifications. Elizabeth discusses challenges such as balancing life and time pressures and translating international experience into the UK professional framework. She outlines CIAT benefits including mentorship, CPD, networking, reduced fees for members outside the UK, and international recognition such as the mutual agreement with the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario. She also describes founding Architecture Pearl to address gaps in clarity and support for newcomers, advocating for recruiters and firms to create opportunities for international professionals, and developing a CIAT-linked platform to help internationally trained Technologists transition into UK and Canadian practice. Elizabeth closes with guidance for listeners who feel “not ready yet,” encouraging early engagement, documentation of experience, mentorship, and viewing chartership as an investment and a platform for confidence, credibility, and giving back to the profession.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT

Elizabeth is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (FCIAT), a Registered Architect (AAA), and a Chartered Architect, with over 20 years’ experience delivering architectural projects across the UK, Canada, and international markets. She is the Founder of Lizben Consult (UK), providing architectural consultancy and project leadership across residential, commercial, and community-led developments. Her expertise spans the full project lifecycle — from concept design and regulatory approvals through to construction delivery — underpinned by strong technical, contractual, and strategic leadership. Elizabeth has led and contributed to multi-million-pound projects including childcare facilities, mixed-use developments, places of worship, and large-scale residential schemes. She is recognised for her collaborative approach, bringing together design excellence, delivery rigour, and trusted client relationships to create long-term value. Beyond practice, Elizabeth founded Architecture Pearl, an initiative championing internationally trained architects and architectural technologists. Through advocacy, mentorship, and storytelling, she supports professionals navigating licensure, professional identity, and belonging — while encouraging a more inclusive, human-centred built environment profession. For Elizabeth, architecture is about more than buildings — it’s about making room for people.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with nearly 24 years’ experience across architecture and the built environment. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree with honours in Architecture from Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria and a second Master’s degree in Construction Project Management from the University of Greenwich. He achieved Chartered status with CIAT in 2015.

Anthony is the Managing Director of Prime Projects Design and Management Ltd, a registered CIAT Chartered Practice since 2018, based in Kent. He has successfully delivered a wide range of projects, and has extensive expertise in residential, listed, and public buildings, with a particular specialism in religious architecture. His career includes experience within Chartered architectural practices in the UK and overseas, as well as a senior role as Design Manager for a multinational main contractor and developer in the Eastern Counties. Alongside practice, Anthony is deeply committed to mentoring students and graduates in architecture and architectural technology, both locally and internationally, supporting the next generation in understanding the profession’s roles, responsibilities, and opportunities.

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00:00 Introduction

01:06 Meet Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT

01:43 Finding Architecture by Accident: University Studio Days in Nigeria

03:17 NYSC Road Rehab Project: Awards, Confidence & Thinking Bigger

04:58 Why CIAT? Becoming Chartered & Building a Practice

06:32 Mentorship & Encouragement for Overseas Professionals

08:09 The Hard Part: Time, Life, and Translating Experience Across Systems

09:12 Identity & Recognition: How CIAT Chartership Opens Doors Internationally

11:46 Architecture Pearl: Bridging the Experience Gap for Newcomers

13:52 “I’m Not Ready Yet”: Practical Steps to Start Your Chartership Journey

15:41 How Chartership Changed Everything: Confidence, Credibility & Giving Back

19:07 Closing Reflections: Chartered Week Wrap-Up + Where to Learn More

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You Don't Need to Be Perfect to Start Your Career Journey

Elizabeth found architecture by accident when she visited her sister at university. She didn't have everything planned out from the beginning. The important thing is to start where you are and take the first step. You can learn and grow as you go. Even when you feel lost or unsure, you can still move forward and find your path.

Having a Mentor Can Save You Years of Struggle

Both Elizabeth and Anthony talk about how being lost for years could have been avoided with the right guidance. A mentor can help you find your direction much faster than trying to figure everything out on your own. Instead of spending 5 or 10 years working things out, a mentor can help you get there in less time. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help from people who have already walked the path you want to take.

Professional Recognition Opens Doors and Builds Confidence

Getting chartered (professional recognition) helped Elizabeth in three big ways. First, it gave her confidence in her own abilities. Second, people trusted her more and stopped questioning her background all the time. Third, it made her want to help others coming after her. When you have proper qualifications, you spend less time explaining yourself and more time actually doing the work. It also connects you to a community of professionals who understand and respect what you do.

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Know someone who could benefit from listening? Subscribe and share this episode with your network.

Know someone with a story to tell or a topic to explore? Email us at atpodcast@ciat.global to nominate a guest or a topic.

Want to learn more about Architectural Technology, how to progress your career, or how to work with a Chartered AT? Head to architecturaltechnology.com to find out more

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Podcast recorded and edited by: Jon Clayton [Podcasting]

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Disclaimer

The contents and views expressed by individuals in the Where it's AT podcast are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the companies they work for or the Host. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Chartership for me is a commitment.

A commitment to excellence, to responsibility, and to

the future of our profession.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: I was lost for a couple of years, you know, until

I got to know about the CIAT and, um, it changed my life completely.

Welcome to Where it's AT.

The podcast from CIAT shining a spotlight on the future focused design

discipline of Architectural Technology.

Know someone who could benefit from listening.

Subscribe and share this episode with your network.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Hello.

Um, Anthony Zibo, chartered Architectural Technologist, and I'll be your host

for today's episode of Where it's at this week in the uk, chartered

Professionals across All Sectors.

I've been celebrating the value, credibility, and trust that

chartered status represent.

It feels like the perfect moment to reflect on what being chartered

really means, not just as a title, but as a commitment to professionalism,

competence, and public trust.

Joining me today is a friend and mentor, Elizabeth Lu.

Elizabeth is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologist, a

chartered architect and has over 20 years experience delivering projects across the

uk, Canada, and international markets.

She's the founder of Lisbon Consult here in the uk.

Welcome, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Thank you Anthony.

It is really lovely to be here and, uh, doing this during the chartered week.

Make it even more special.

I've enjoyed watching where it's.

It's creates space for honest, uh, conversations about the profession, so

I'm genuinely glad to be part of it.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Your professional journey started at

Ambrose Ali University in Nigeria.

I was a part of that as well.

Why don't you set the scene for us?

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: I actually got to, uh, know about

architecture accidentally.

I visited my sister who was.

Doing our own NYAC at the university.

Then, so we walked through, you know, the school and I passed through a studio.

I saw some student drawing.

They were a Marco and, uh, Nicholas, that I got to know their name later.

And, uh, I went in because they were looking like they were doing

something so fanciful and important, and I wanted to know more about it.

So I, I went into the studio, I asked them questions, what

is architecture and all that.

And then I saw that the tools they were using, it was very

interesting, like the T square, the set square, you know, and all that.

And I wanted to know more.

So I was actually drawn to the idea that architecture wasn't, uh,

just about, uh, drawing buildings.

It was about people.

It was about responsibility and long-term impact.

So my journey started at Rosalee University in Nigeria,

where I studied architecture.

And, uh, the training was very intense in the best way.

Very studio led, very practical.

It really taught me discipline how to critically, how to think critically

and to stand behind your ideas.

Because what you do is you do your drawings, you put them on the wall

for the jury to, uh, critique.

And, uh, it was really interesting.

I really loved it.

And so after my BSC in.

I am Rosalee University.

I applied for NYCI actually was meant to do N-Y-I-C-N-Y-C for those who don't

know is the National Youth Service Corps.

So you are meant to, after you graduate, you're meant to work for the

nation, uh, and then do a community development, a community project to help

the community you are posted to serve.

So, uh, what I did was when I applied, I did my one year NYCI was

posted to a Kawa Barak and um, I decided to do a project that will

help the community in a Kwa Barak.

And that project was a, a road rehabilitation project.

It was an architecture.

You were encouraged to do something outside of architecture.

So I did that road project and he won a national, I mean, the state

award as the Best Corps member.

For the state in that year, and it also went on to win a national award, which was

presented by the president of the nation.

Then that is, um, general gon ob.

So winning the award, uh, was a big moment for me.

It came at a time when I'm still figuring myself out, but it gave me

confidence that hard work mattered.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: So the idea of chartership.

Was already in the background.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Kind of Yes, exactly.

The award helped me to start thinking of something bigger for my career

as a part of the long-term plan.

So even then, I never knew what I was doing per se, but I

wanted my career to sit within, recognize professional standard.

I may not have known the exact route, but I understood that

belonging to a professional body eventually, which was CIAT, was

about accountability and longevity.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: I'm just wondering why did you choose the CIAT?

Why did you refer the CIAT to me?

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: I told you about CIAT because I

liked their model of working.

What happened was I was actually chartered with two, uh, bodies in the same year.

In 2013, I was chartered with CIAT and also with CIOB, and I registered

my practice with CIAT first.

I also register my practice with CIOB.

But one thing I noticed outta the two of them was that I got

a, a lot of referrals from CIAT.

People will look on the website and I don't know how CIAT does it,

but people look on the website.

When they say your name, they give you a call because I normally ask

people, how did you get my details?

Because I was new.

Into practicing and then they will say, oh, hello, yeah, I got

your name from CIAT and all that.

CIOB.

I'm not saying is not good, but I could, I didn't get referrals.

And for you, when you're starting your own firm, you need the referrals.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: yeah, of

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: So I got that from CIAT and then

bang, that was it for me.

I, I still remain a member of CIOB, but I withdrew my practice from

CIOB, so my practice became CIAT.

That was a good one, because referrals is what keeps the business going, right?

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, my practice actually enjoys that benefit as well.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: exactly.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: It's been amazing all through the years,

uh, that I've been in practice and I, I do not have any regrets.

I'm happy I met you back then after all those years in university and, um, I, I

really, I really hope and um, that those.

Who we are mentoring now, uh, you know, they are, they are privileged

to have the opportunity of knowing what direction to take, you know,

rather than them being lost.

I mean, I was lost for a couple of years, you know, until I got

to know about the CIAT and, um, it changed my life completely.

So, um, I'm really grateful for that opportunity to be a part

of the CIAT for all the support.

They, they, they continue to give, you know, it's been amazing.

Yeah.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Those who are still waiting and thinking,

oh, because in Nigeria, you know, this, they have this mentality of,

oh, is a technology institution.

Uh, we are architect, we are from the university.

It's a bit of a clash of naming system, but a, I mean, architectural

technology is as good we are.

I don't know how to describe it, but if you're in Nigeria or you are outside

of the UK and you're wondering just.

Check the, the, the program and see the competencies For CIAT it's

really, really good and I just want to encourage everybody still waiting.

They, when you don't know where to go, please look for

somebody, look for a mentor.

Maybe you will have used 10 years, or five years or two years to find your level,

but when you find a mentor, they will help you to quickly get to where you wanna go,

honestly, and cut those years shorter.

CIAT is the way to go.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: I know as a charter professional myself, working

towards charter starters could be very demanding, especially alongside

practicing mentoring leadership roles.

What challenges did you face along the way?

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Honestly, the biggest challenge for me was

life happening alongside the process.

The first challenge was time, you know, balancing practice, leadership

roles, personal commitment while still, making space to reflect properly.

And the second challenge was navigating different systems.

Having worked across countries, Nigeria, uk, you know, I had to

learn how to articulate my experience in a way that aligned with the

UK professional in framework.

Know someone with a story to tell or a topic to

explore email atpodcast@ciat.global to nominate a guest or a topic.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: As an internationally trained professional,

was chartership important in helping you establish professional

identity and recognition?

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Yes.

For me, chartership was incredibly important in establishing professional

identity, especially in the uk.

As a internationally trained professional, you sometimes feel you

are constantly explaining yourself.

When you don't have a recognized qualification in the country you are in

you are trying to, and you are trying to do a private practice, you are met

with lots of questions, you know, from client, from contractors, even if you

wanna help with interior design project, everybody ask you questions like, oh,

what is your qualification, et cetera.

So, you feel embarrassed.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: I know what you mean.

It's proving your value again and again.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Yeah, exactly.

So, CIAT Chartership helped remove that friction.

It created a shared, uh, professional language around competence,

ethics, and responsibility.

So what I value about CIAT actually is that it focuses on how you practice.

Not just where you trained.

That really made a difference because not only the UK but internationally as well.

It helps you have more confidence here.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Tell us of the importance in the

UK and in other countries.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Okay, let me say, if you relocate somewhere like Canada.

Like currently, the CIAT is recognized in Ontario, there is a body that

is architectural association, I mean Association of Architectural

Technologists of Ontario.

There is a mutual agreement between them and then the CIAT in uk.

So if you relocate to Ontario, Canada, you don't need to go through the Rigo.

Of trying to get registered.

You can go to AATO and they will recognize your, uh, your chartership.

So other importance of CIAT will say are, uh, structured mentorship

programs for students and graduates.

Uh, career guidance from chartered members and fellows.

International mentorship for overseas candidates, and of course reduce fees.

The fees for members outside of UK, especially countries like

Nigeria has been reduced, so we have a big opportunity in Nigeria.

So there's a lot of opportunities for networking.

There are so many programs you can attend, CPDs and all that.

You know, the charter status is widely recognized and it has

high employability and the senior rules when you are chartered.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Is that why you founded Architecture Pearl?

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Oh yes.

Architecture Pearl, uh, really grew out of my own journey.

I keep meeting talented, um, professionals who weren't lacking ability.

No, they were not a lacking ability, but they were lacking clarity.

Clarity about pathways, about Chartership, had our professional body,

like CIAT, you know, work in practice.

I began to think.

How if I had a mentor when I came into UK, it would be a lot easier for me.

So Architecture Pearl grew out of my own personal journey.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: And I know you're talking about a gap, and

yeah, that gap is still very real.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: It is very, very, very much so, Architectural

Pearl is a space for storytelling for guidance and, uh, community.

So it's, it complement what CIAT is already doing by making the journey

feel human and, uh, accessible.

So right now, uh, job agencies, they trust me.

They wanna help me with jobs, but I no longer need that.

When I needed it, you were not there.

So right now I'm advocating for recruiters and firms to please help

me help the newcomers who need them.

You know, because they'll say You need UK experience.

How do we get the UK experience if you don't give us a chance?

So in order words, I'm saying please make room for newcomers.

Make room for us.

Therefore, I'm actually currently building something unique with

CIAT, uh, a platform supporting internationally trained technologists.

So helping newcomers transition into UK and Canadian architectural practice

offering mentorship, you know, practice readiness resources, bridging the gap,

you know, in knowledge and confidence supporting CIAT members and aspiring

members with structured guidance.

So my hope in all of this is that, we will keep on encouraging and helping

people feel confident enough to take steps like chartership, like leadership,

giving back to the profession, helping the next generation of Architectural

Technologists rise, grow globally.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: That is a fantastic idea.

What would you say to those architecture professionals listening

who feel they are not ready yet?

I hear that a lot and they're unsure whether the chartership is right for them.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: I hear I'm not ready yet, all the time.

And I understand that because you feel intimidated, you feel so many things.

Yeah.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Yeah, it's probably the most common thing people say.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Yeah.

It really is.

So my first tip, will be you don't have to be perfect.

CIAT Chartership is about practicing responsibly and reflecting.

So second tip will be start where you are.

Talk to CIAT members.

You see a lot of people on LinkedIn with the M-C-I-A-T at the back of their name.

So you can actually approach anyone and speak to them.

So that's something, you know, attend event, documentary experience, you

know, exposure, build confidence.

So my thought tip will be that.

See Chartership as an investment.

It's not a finish line.

You are investing in yourself.

You are making yourself better.

You are creating a better version of yourself.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: That's a very important mindset shift.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Yeah, so are we.

Say start early.

You know, join as a student, student membership is free.

You can join as a student, as an affiliate.

You can use your CIAT, as a global passport and build competencies

using the CIAT standards.

Um, I will say engage with mentorship program.

Uh, there is a place on CIAT website you have where you have the mentor match me.

I'm a mentor as well.

I know you are a mentor as well.

So you engage with mentorship program, you document your experience for future.

Chartership and stay consistent with CPD is very important.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Thank you.

Um, looking back, Elizabeth, how did becoming charter change your

confidence, credibility, or the way others engaged with you professionally?

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: How we say chartership for me is a commitment.

A commitment to excellence, to responsibility, and to

the future of our profession.

And if you're listening and wondering whether it's for you,

you know this, the profession grows stronger every time when you choose

to step into your full potential.

That decision change how I see, you know, my place in this field.

And it can do the same for you first.

Confidence.

Chartership gave me a reassurance that my practice was grounded.

With Recognize Standard before, people will ask you too many questions

about your background and all that, but now they can say your name.

They can say You've gone through the Chartership program for CIAT, and

they can see your name on the website.

So that kind of build confidence for me.

You know, not in a loud way, but in a steady way.

You walk through conversations, feeling aligned with expectations

of the, of the profession.

And that changes my poster and presence, honestly.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Fantastic.

That quiet confidence is really powerful.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Yes, it really is because it's rooted

in, um, accountability, not ego.

And secondly, I noticed that conversations changed.

There was less explaining, a more engagement.

You know, chartership signals a shared commitment to ethics, to

competence and responsibility, and that creates trust very quickly,

especially within the CIAT community.

You feel a part of a network where standards, are understood and respected.

They respect you because they know you are chartered.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: In my opinion that shared understanding

makes collaboration easier.

Elizabeth Olubaju FCIAT: Exactly.

It does, you know, create a professional shorthand.

You know, when I learned, uh, typing and shorthand does the shorthand is something

you can, like, create a brief thing from.

So for me, I see Chartership as a shorthand, in architecture.

So, thirdly, I will say that a stronger sense of responsibility to give back

because when you become chartered, you are more intentional about mentoring.

You want to help others coming in, you know, advocacy, supporting others, and,

uh, this is really why Architecture Pearl exists, you realize that chartership

isn't just achievement, it's participation in the future of the profession.

So looking back now, I will say that Chartership wasn't the finish line.

It's a platform, platform created by CIAT to help us.

So this platform is for confidence.

It's for credibility.

It's for contribution.

So for me, becoming chartered with Chartered Institute of Architectural

Technologists, wasn't about, you know, reaching the finish line?

Like I said before, it was about choosing to grow with intention.

It gave structure to my experience.

Confidence to my practice and a community that holds high professional standards.

And if you are listening, honestly, if you're listening out there

today and you are wondering whether you are ready, I will say this.

You don't have to have everything figured out.

You just have to be willing to step forward.

Chartership is here to support the journey, and you might

be closer than you think.

So take the first step.

Anthony Oziabor MCIAT: Thank you, Elizabeth.

As Chartered Week 2026, come to a close.

This conversation is a timely reminder that Chartered status is

about trust, integrity, and making a real impact through our work.

I know what it's like.

Huge thanks to my guest.

Elizabeth Uba for sharing our journey insights and our commitment

to creating a more inclusive profession through Architecture Pearl.

You've been listening to where it's at.

A huge thanks to our guests and to you for listening.

Want to learn more about architectural technology, how to progress your

career, or how to work with a chartered architectural technologist?

Head to architectural technology.com to find out more.

The contents and views expressed by individuals in the where it's at

podcasts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the

companies they work for or the host.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should

not be considered as advice.