Arc Sam Cookey was elevated to the Fellowship class of the Nigerian Institute of Architects on the 27th of September 2005. He was elected by the council of the Institute in appreciation of his individual contribution to the profession. The fellowship class was created by the council of the institute, in the exercise of its powers under Article 8.3 [A] of the Nigerian Institute of Architects bye-laws and in appreciation of individual achiements. The fellows award night ceremony held on the 23rd November, 2005 at Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja.