Construction professionals have been urged to adopt stricter adherence to regulatory frameworks and embrace government policies to address the persistent issue of building collapse in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State.
This call was made by the former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, who delivered the keynote lecture at the annual gathering of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos (UNILAG), held at the Julius Berger Auditorium.
Dr. Salako, while speaking on the theme “Recurring Building Collapse in Lagos: The Challenge of Regulatory Oversight and Constructional Practices”, attributed the problem to a combination of technical negligence and regulatory lapses. He identified faulty designs, poor construction methods, unqualified personnel, the use of substandard materials, and failure to conduct geotechnical investigations as major contributing factors.
He stressed the need for reinforced enforcement of building regulations, accountability among stakeholders, and increased awareness of industry standards. According to him, the state government is finalizing plans to introduce a new Building Code, which will come with clear safety guidelines and a Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP) to strengthen monitoring and compliance.
Chairman of the event, TPL Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, a former Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, described the forum as timely, noting its importance in tackling the country’s housing and infrastructure challenges. The event was held in collaboration with Adron Homes and Properties.
Speaking at the event, the Group Chairman of Adron Homes, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuel King, described the frequency of building collapse in Nigeria as a man-made tragedy driven by negligence, regulatory failures, and compromise. “Buildings don’t collapse by accident,” he said. “They fail because professionals somewhere along the line fail to uphold their responsibilities.”
Other key speakers, including the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical and Urban Development, TPL Tunji Odunlami; ATOPCON President, TPL Bisi Adedire; and Dr. Taofeek Salau, Head of Department, UNILAG’s Urban and Regional Planning, all echoed similar sentiments—calling for improved technical training, proper oversight, and institutional reforms.
The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who was represented by Prof. Mike Adebamowo, expressed confidence that such platforms will continue to foster best practices in the built environment sector.
