Episode Details

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 archite