Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s building and construction sector to come together and find effective solutions to the country’s frequent building collapses.
Speaking at a national conference organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, John Enoh, urged industry stakeholders to prioritise safer, more reliable building practices.
“I am aware of the several efforts by some on this matter,” said Enoh.
“My mandate to you on this crucial matter is to ensure safer, more reliable structures. This forum affords me a chance to relate with relevant stakeholders in the industry and to unite and collaborate for the common purpose of safety.”
Enoh highlighted the need for a stronger regulatory framework at all stages—pre-construction, construction, and post-construction—to enhance public safety.
He also noted the administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property, stressing that ending building collapses is a top priority.
“I believe adhering to strictly agreed standard practices will be a contribution to the priority of the administration,” he added.
“I look forward to very robust engagements and discussions, and I hope that the outcome of this will be very enabling and very useful to get this sector, the building and construction sector, right.”
In his remarks, SON Director General Dr Ifeanyi Okeke clarified that regulatory gaps, not substandard materials, were often to blame for building failures.
“Three months ago, this idea came to me after a series of building collapses in the country,” Okeke said.
“In all of the incidents with building collapse, SON visits the scene to take samples, and after taking samples, we found out that it is not a result of sub-standard products, but there is a gap in terms of regulations.”
Okeke cited cases, such as those in Jos, where unapproved structural additions contributed to failures, underscoring the importance of enforcing regulations.
“It’s important to bring all stakeholders to discuss this issue and fashion a way out,” he emphasised.
Okeke also expressed concern that many industry stakeholders still lack awareness of required standards, despite extensive sensitisation efforts by SON.
A recent report from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild documented 635 cases of building collapses in Nigeria between 1974 and November 2024, with Lagos State recording the highest number at 351 cases, or 55.28% of all incidents.