The intensity of fear of insecurity has increased in 21st century due to the frequency and global spread of terrorism. Homes, public infrastructures and utilities have been damaged; physical and psychological injuries inflicted; economic fortunes wrecked in a minute; many rendered homeless and lives lost as a result of terrorism and threats to terrorism. Historically, bombs and explosives have been a favourite tactic of terrorists, this is because ingredients for homemade bombs are effortlessly obtained in the open market, as are the techniques for its construction and also are easy and quick to execute. However, one area counter terrorism strategy has been universally identical is in architecture and urban planning. The aim of this paper is to reveal the need for a change in ideological approach to design by architects and planners in Nigeria in order to safeguard the environment. It discusses architectural design approach to counter terrorism in building for occupant’s safety and draws analogy from the defensive architecture of ancient times. The paramount theme is on terrorist attack with regards to explosive and bomb, the focus is on an approach that limits damage or mitigates damage rather than a blast-resistant approach. The study employed the use of case study research method with extensive review of literature of the past and present approach to counter terrorism. The result highlights some practical security design strategy that will improve occupant’s safety within a structure if incorporated in architectural designs. This will also facilitate evacuation efforts and enhance rescue endeavour in an unlikely incidence of terror attack. It concludes and advocate for a proactive design strategy for buildings in Nigeria.

Security challenges are known to have diverse negative impacts on all facets of human endeavours across the world. However, in a country like Nigeria that is faced with myriads of security challenges ranging from armed bandits to insurgences by terrorist groups, the impacts of security challenges on architecture have not been adequately explored. This research examined how security challenges have influenced the architectural forms and spatial morphology of vernacular architecture in Northern Nigeria using three Local Government Areas: Maiduguri, Nganzai and Monguno of Borno State a case study. The primary data were gathered through observations, photographic materials and oral interviews with randomly selected residents in the study area. These were complemented with the review of published literature. The results of content analysis reveal a gradual change in Northern Nigeria vernacular architecture to accommodate the myriads of security challenges confronting the region. Specifically, it was observed that changes in traditional circular houses with thatch roofs to rectangular houses and the use of modern building materials as well as emergence of gated communities abound in the study area. The study also found a decline in traditional decorations and paintings on domestic building due to the relocation of practitioners from the study area. The study concludes that in spite of the daunting security challenges, Nigerians should not abandon their rich heritage in vernacular architecture, rather, indigenous and modern architectural principles should be integrated in evolving secured human settlements in this country.

The skyline of the developing world is decorated with medium and low rise structures and Nigeria is not an exception. Located in the tropics mainly characterized by an elevated air temperature and high relative humidity; obtaining the desired level of indoor thermal comfort without mechanical aid is a design challenge for most of her building structures in recent times. However, airflow inside a building depends not only on external wind velocity but also on a number of Architectural design features and principles. The study, aimed at identifying design element and strategies that modify the indoor comfort conditions as well as energy savings of tropical buildings. Through case study research approach and the review of existing literature, a comparison of the colonial and contemporary existing building designs were made in the study area based on seven architectural design features that can influence thermal comfort condition. The study found that contemporary building designs in the study area have in recent times departed from the traditional applications of passive design strategies used in colonial architecture and have taken a non-compactible design models for tropical climates like disappearance of eaves projections, shrinkage of balconies, reduced headroom heights and window sizes. Furthermore, the result highlights the need to evolve a climate responsive design as means of reducing heat stress in the contemporary Nigerian low-rise buildings. It concludes and recommends that architects and designers should review their design approaches in favour of functional building requirements for climate-responsive and energy efficient buildings, which will be less dependent on mechanical systems in order to achieve maximum thermal comfort levels in our buildings.