Farida Aliyu

Architectural and interior designer with over 11 years of experience spanning institutional facilities leadership and operations.

Currently

Head of Interiors at SAFRITECTURE, steering the Design Unit for a pan-African investment firm's expansion across Africa, while continuing to lead Create Space Limited, an independent design practice delivering commercial, hospitality, residential and FF&E projects.

Head of Interiors at SAFRITECTURE (2026-06 – Present)

• Lead the Interiors discipline within the Design Unit for SAFRITECTURE, the in-house architecture and interiors practice of SAFRIK, a pan-African investment and asset management firm.
• Develop concept direction, material strategy, and afro-conscious design frameworks for SAFRIK office projects across multiple African markets.
• Author governing standards and procedures, including the firm's Spatial Standards Documents and Design Unit operating framework.

Principal Designer at Create Space Limited (2015 – Present)

• Founder and lead - an independent residential, commercial and hospitality interiors and FF&E practice, delivering design from concept through procurement and installation.
• Design philosophy centres spaces as expressions of identity and function serving the occupant, executed to a standard of precision from concept to finishing.
• Manage client relationships, FF&E sourcing, and contractor coordination end-to-end for private and commercial clients.

Chief Operating Officer at S. EA. Homes (2025-11 – 2026-03)

• Oversaw daily operations across design, project execution and business functions.
• Managed end-to-end delivery of residential development and interior projects.
• Coordinated multidisciplinary teams including designers, contractors and consultants.
• Contributed to design direction, space planning and project decision making processes.
• Led client engagement, ensuring alignment between expectations, design intent and delivery.

Facilities Manager/Architect at The Central Bank of Nigeria (2023-10 – 2024-12)

• Managed and maintained the physical condition of facilities, including inspections and repairs, to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Planned, coordinated, directed, monitored, evaluated and reported on facility projects from inception through completion.
• Coordinated with vendors to obtain competitive pricing on materials and services required for facility operations.

Deputy Manager/Architect at The Central Bank of Nigeria (2022-01 – 2023-10)

• Involved in the design, management and delivery of Branch Building Developments, Renovation and Intervention Projects.
• Part of the team designing educational and health facilities for intervention and renovation projects by the Bank.
• Managed and supervised the construction of these buildings from inception to project handover.

Assistant Manager/Architect at The Central Bank of Nigeria (2018-01 – 2022-01)

• Vetted building project proposals and managed contractors and consultants executing the Bank's building projects.
• Attended monthly site inspections and meetings across various states.

Senior Supervisor/Architect at The Central Bank of Nigeria (2013-11 – 2018-01)

• Maintained compliance with company policies and procedures; vetted building project proposals.
• Managed contractors and consultants executing the Bank's building projects.

Architectural Intern at Julius Berger Nigeria PLC (2011-12 – 2012-12)

• Created detailed drawings, sketches, 3D models and renderings for various projects.
• Compiled data for construction documents such as floor plans, elevations and sections.

Creative Intern at Lloyd and Co (2010-09 – 2011-06)

• Assisted in the development of strategies to increase brand recognition and engagement on social media channels.
• Created visual design concepts for digital media platforms for GUCCI, Bottega Veneta & Estee Lauder.

Intern at Caos on F (2009-07 – 2010-09)

• Gained experience, exposure and knowledge of career-specific procedures and systems.
• Developed strong organizational and time management skills by completing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Maintained confidentiality when handling sensitive information or documents.

B. Arch in Architecture – Howard University (2010-05)