The inaugural Design Beyond Walls (DBW) Summit 2026 has called for greater recognition of interior design and housekeeping as viable professional and business sectors in Plateau State, with industry stakeholders highlighting the need to combine creativity, functionality and business knowledge.
The summit, held at the Usiju World Event Centre in Jos, brought together interior designers, hospitality practitioners, business owners and emerging talents to explore opportunities in the industry under the theme, “The Art and Business of Interior Design in Housekeeping.”
The convener and Chief Executive Officer of Mettaworld Interiors, Nanmet Anthony, said the summit was conceived to bridge the gap between creative ideas and practical industry experience by providing opportunities for established professionals and emerging talents to share knowledge and build networks.
She described the initiative as the beginning of a movement to promote the role of design in shaping people’s experiences, noting that interior design involves more than aesthetics, as functionality, comfort, creativity and business development are equally important.
“Design Beyond Walls was born from a desire to create a platform where knowledge meets practical experience, where established professionals can share their expertise, emerging talents can discover opportunities, and people from different areas of the design, environment and hospitality industries can connect and grow together,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Usiju World Event Centre, Mrs Naomi Gadzama, emphasised the relationship between interior design and housekeeping, describing both as essential to creating and maintaining functional and comfortable spaces.
She urged designers to develop their business management skills while encouraging housekeeping professionals to seek better training, recognition and fair remuneration.
“Housekeeping is how a designer’s vision survives past the photoshoot. Put the two together, and you don’t just get a nice house. You get a home that lasts,” Gadzama said.
In his lecture, the Managing Director of No Limits Furniture Limited, Mr Lawrence Ngene, defined interior essentials as the proper organisation and arrangement of spaces to support daily activities and improve productivity.
He noted that interior design was gaining recognition in major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, calling for increased awareness and appreciation of the profession in Jos. He also advised young entrepreneurs to remain consistent, improve their skills and invest in personal development.
The 2026 Touch Bearer of Design Beyond Walls, Arc. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, described interior design as an important part of improving living conditions, noting that well-designed spaces promote comfort, safety, peace of mind and healthier lifestyles.
He urged young people in Plateau State to explore opportunities in the industry, describing it as an emerging and largely untapped business sector with potential for entrepreneurship.
Jatau noted that the growing demand for personalised and unique interior spaces presents opportunities for young people to establish businesses and earn a living.
He also called for greater youth participation in the private sector, saying the Plateau State Government under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang was committed to encouraging entrepreneurship as part of efforts to build a private sector-driven economy.
He encouraged young people to look beyond government employment and explore opportunities in the business sector.
A major highlight of the summit was the official commissioning of the Design Beyond Walls experience space by Jatau, providing participants with an opportunity to experience the practical application of interior design concepts.
One of the participants, Wenge Juliet, expressed optimism about the knowledge gained at the summit, saying the sessions had broadened her understanding of interior design and its business opportunities.
She said she intended to apply the lessons and practical insights acquired to her work, noting that the experience had provided fresh ideas for her professional development.
