Muyiwa Oki is a British-Nigerian architect who became the first Black and youngest President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2023. Upon taking office, aged 32, Oki announced his commitment to press for more diversity and inclusivity within architecture.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Oki was 11 years old when he moved to Britain. He attended school in south London and then studied architecture at the University of Sheffield. After graduating, Oki worked for Glenn Howells Architects on mostly residential projects in Birmingham.
At his next job at Grimshaw Architects, Oki undertook large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of London’s Euston station to accommodate the HS2 high-speed railway line. While there, he founded the Multi-Ethnic Group and Allies network, driving cultural change for colleagues globally. Oki moved on to work on the North London Heat and Power Project in Edmonton. During his two-year presidency at RIBA, Oki will continue to work for the Construction and Consultancy Company, Mace Group, in London.
Muyiwa Oki is an ambassador for the Mayor of London’s Design Future London challenge.
Refs: RIBA President profile: Muyiwa Oki (2023-2025) (architecture.com); Architect Muyiwa Oki: ‘We need a diversity of people to solve the big issues of the day’ | The RIBA | The Guardian
Early-career architect Muyiwa Oki elected as RIBA President | News | Archinect
