Built-environment stakeholders in Lagos State, Nigeria, have urged the government and regulatory agencies to enforce construction standards and conduct regular building inspections to prevent further tragedies. This call follows the June 25 collapse of a four-storey building at Alakija, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, which claimed eight lives. The stakeholders, comprising experts in the built environment, identified weak regulatory enforcement, poor construction practices, and inadequate professional supervision as factors exposing residents to avoidable dangers.
The stakeholders made their demands at a conference organised by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Amuwo-Odofin Cell, in Satellite Town, Lagos. The conference, themed “Building a Resilient Lagos Through Synergy,” brought together key players in the built environment, including government agencies, construction professionals, developers, artisans, academics, and community representatives. The gathering aimed to address the root causes of building collapses and find solutions to prevent future incidents.
Coordinator of BCPG Amuwo-Odofin Cell, Chubike Okafor, highlighted the need for effective early-warning mechanisms and emergency coordination. He called on residents, property owners, and community leaders to report structural cracks and other signs of distress to qualified professionals or relevant authorities. Okafor emphasised that early reporting and timely intervention were crucial to preventing building failures and reducing the loss of lives and property.
General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Authority (LASBCA), Mrs Florence Gbaye, stressed the importance of strict compliance with construction standards. She warned against the use of substandard materials and unqualified workers for critical building operations. Gbaye also criticised professionals who accepted multiple projects but left essential responsibilities to unqualified persons. She urged developers and practitioners to maintain professional supervision throughout construction.
General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Kehinde Osinaike, represented by Mrs Busola Olatunji, urged residents to adopt a “See Something, Say Something” approach by reporting unsafe buildings and unauthorised construction. She warned against constructing buildings without obtaining the necessary planning approvals, stressing that compliance with established procedures was fundamental to public safety. Osinaike emphasised the need for stronger monitoring of construction sites and regular structural assessments.
The conference heard that Nigeria recorded 817 building-collapse incidents between October 1971 and July 27, 2026, with Lagos accounting for 477. Of the incidents recorded in Lagos, 325 occurred in occupied buildings, while 121 happened during construction. Quantity surveyor Tomi Ogundare presented the statistics, citing BCPG records. He recommended stronger controls on building alterations and changes of use, updated fitness certification, and a tracking system to ensure that distressed buildings were monitored until identified problems were resolved.
Other speakers at the conference, including Dr Sebastian Ozoamalu, Vice President, Africa, of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, and Ogonna Agwu, a surveyor, emphasised the importance of proper soil and ground investigations, accurate land surveys, and effective drainage planning in preventing building collapses. The stakeholders agreed that a multi-faceted approach, involving stronger collaboration between professionals, regulators, and communities, was necessary to improve compliance and bring building-safety advocacy closer to residents.
Key points
- Built-environment stakeholders in Lagos State, Nigeria, are demanding stricter enforcement of construction standards and regular building inspections to prevent further tragedies.
- A conference organised by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) heard that Nigeria recorded 817 building-collapse incidents between October 1971 and July 27, 2026, with Lagos accounting for 477.
- The stakeholders identified weak regulatory enforcement, poor construction practices, and inadequate professional supervision as factors exposing residents to avoidable dangers.
