Chief (Dr.) Isaac Fola-Alade (OFR) was a visionary architect whose extraordinary contributions significantly shaped Nigeria’s architectural heritage. Born on November 24, 1933, in Aramoko, Ekiti State, he was raised in a family dedicated to education and community service, values that he would carry throughout his life.
Fola-Alade’s educational journey began at St. Philips School, Aramoko (1940–1945), followed by Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, where he earned his Cambridge School Certificate (1946–1951). He then pursued his architectural aspirations at the Nigerian College of Technology in Ibadan (1954–1956) and later at the Nigerian College of Technology in Zaria (1957–1961), where he graduated with a Diploma in Architecture. His determination and talent led him to become one of the first four indigenous architects in West Africa to complete the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Finals.
In 1963, Fola-Alade achieved full membership in the Royal Institute of British Architects (A.R.I.B.A.) and became a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (M.N.I.A.) in 1964. His thirst for knowledge took him to London for further studies at the Architectural Association (AA) School of Tropical Studies under a Commonwealth Scholarship (1964–1965). He also broadened his expertise by attending various professional and leadership courses, including the Defence Policy and Strategic Course in Paris and the Chief Executive Course at the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C.
Fola-Alade’s career was distinguished by his service in numerous prestigious roles within the government. He served as the Resident Architect for the Western Region and later as Senior Architect for the Lagos City Council. His tenure as Chief Architect for the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and as Federal Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) at the Armed Forces Supreme Headquarters was marked by his involvement in the design and supervision of significant national landmarks. These included the National Stadium in Lagos, the Federal Secretariat in Ikoyi, and the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, among others.
Throughout his career, Chief Fola-Alade achieved several historic milestones in Nigerian architecture. He was the first Chartered Architect from Ekiti-West and the inaugural Registrar of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). In 1979, he became the first Nigerian architect to be honored with the national title of Officer of the Federal Republic (O.F.R.). His influence extended to academia, where he made history as the first and only Nigerian architect to serve as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of a Federal University Governing Council (University of Port Harcourt, 1990–1993).
His dedication to his profession was recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including an honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc.) from the Albert Einstein University Foundation and the Albert Einstein Gold Medal. Fola-Alade was also a prominent community leader, serving as the Chairman of the Ekiti Parapo Organisation and the founding chairman of the Aramoko Community Bank. His contributions to society were further acknowledged through various chieftaincy titles, including the Maiyegun of Aramoko and the Asiwaju of Aramoko-Ekiti.
Today we remember Nigeria’s Architectural Luminary, Chief Isaac Fola-Alade who came into this world on a day like this in 1933 and departed June 19, 2021 at the age of 87, leaving behind an enduring legacy that continues to inspire all.
