Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.

Joseph Musa Pada; Ibrahim Umar; Solomon Aderemi Adejumo; Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh; Bernard Nnamdi Oseke

doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

2025, Vol: 3, Issue: 1

3 / 1Current Issue Archive Aims and Scope Abstracting & Indexing

Required files to be uploaded

NJEAS TEMPLATE_Edited_Sample 1

« Previous Article

Original Research

NJEAS. 2025; 3(1): 163-173

doi: 10.5455/NJEAS.279231

Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.

Joseph Musa Pada, Ibrahim Umar, Solomon Aderemi Adejumo, Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh, Bernard Nnamdi Oseke.

Abstract
This study examined the application of Universal Design (UD) principles in the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja, Nigeria, in order to make public buildings accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. Mixed-methods research was used, with data being collected from 500 participants using structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and on-site observations, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and thematic content analysis. Findings indicated that Nile University was better than the National Mosque when it came to the application of UD (mean scores: 3.8-4.3) due to modern construction compared to the retrofitting challenges of historical structures. Strengths were found in Size and Space for Approach and Use and Simple and Intuitive Use, with wide corridors and intuitive signage facilitating ease for diverse users. However, Perceptible Information was the weakest owing to insufficient sensory aids like braille and auditory cues. UD significantly improved access (78-85% agreement), user experience (72-80%), social inclusion (65-75%), and sustainability (70-78%) although moderated by cultural stigma and sensory gaps. Budget constraints, limited architect awareness, outdated regulations, design complexity, and outward resistance formed 36, 30, 20, 10, and 4% of key barriers' occurrence respectively. The recommendations were the early integration of UD into the design processes, the reform of building code policies, better architectural training, and awareness campaigns against stigma. This research has added to the body of knowledge on UD in Nigeria and has suggested practical ways toward equitable urban spaces informed by UN Sustainable Development Goal.

Key words: Universal Design, Accessibility, Inclusivity, Public Buildings, Architectural Design, Sustainability, Nigeria, Retrofitting, Sensory Aids, Social Inclusion

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Joseph Musa Pada Articles by Ibrahim Umar Articles by Solomon Aderemi Adejumo Articles by Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh Articles by Bernard Nnamdi Oseke
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Pada JM, Umar I, Adejumo SA, Uwajeh PC, Oseke BN. Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.. NJEAS. 2025; 3(1): 163-173. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

Web Style

Pada JM, Umar I, Adejumo SA, Uwajeh PC, Oseke BN. Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.. https://www.nilejeas.com/?mno=279231 [Access: June 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Pada JM, Umar I, Adejumo SA, Uwajeh PC, Oseke BN. Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.. NJEAS. 2025; 3(1): 163-173. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Pada JM, Umar I, Adejumo SA, Uwajeh PC, Oseke BN. Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.. NJEAS. (2025), [cited June 27, 2026]; 3(1): 163-173. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

Harvard Style

Pada, J. M., Umar, . I., Adejumo, . S. A., Uwajeh, . P. C. & Oseke, . B. N. (2025) Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.. NJEAS, 3 (1), 163-173. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

Turabian Style

Pada, Joseph Musa, Ibrahim Umar, Solomon Aderemi Adejumo, Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh, and Bernard Nnamdi Oseke. 2025. Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.. Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 3 (1), 163-173. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

Chicago Style

Pada, Joseph Musa, Ibrahim Umar, Solomon Aderemi Adejumo, Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh, and Bernard Nnamdi Oseke. "Universal Design Principles Applied in Architectural Design and Public Buildings: An Empirical Evaluation of the National Mosque and Nile University, Abuja.." Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science 3 (2025), 163-173. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.279231

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Author Login Reviewer Login About Publisher

About Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science

Contact Information

How to cite this article


About Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science The Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences publishes original peer-reviewed articles on fundamental and applied research and reviews ... Read more. For best results, please use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome.	Contact Information 1. Prof. Abdulhameed Danjuma Mambo Editor-in-Chief abdulhameed.mambo@nileuniversity.edu.ng 2. Dr. Adekunle Adeleke Associate Editor-in-Chief adekunle.adeleke@nileuniversity.edu.ng 3. Dr. Ifeyinwa Obianyo Managing Editor ifeyinwa.obianyo@nileuniversity.edu.ng