The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria recorded more than 650 building collapse incidents between 1974 and 2026, resulting in over 1,600 deaths, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement of building regulations and construction standards across the country.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, during a stakeholders’ engagement on building safety. He described the recurring incidents as a national concern that continues to claim lives, destroy property, and erode public confidence in the construction industry.
According to the minister, investigations into many of the collapse incidents revealed recurring issues such as the use of substandard building materials, poor workmanship, structural design defects, inadequate supervision, disregard for approved building plans, and weak enforcement of development control regulations. He stressed that many of these tragedies were preventable through strict compliance with existing laws and professional standards.
Dangiwa said the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to improve building safety through stronger regulatory oversight, collaboration with professional bodies, and the implementation of the National Building Code. He also called on state governments to strengthen development control agencies, conduct regular inspections, and ensure that only qualified professionals are involved in building projects.
The minister urged developers, property owners, engineers, architects, builders, and other stakeholders to prioritise quality, safety, and compliance throughout the construction process. He noted that protecting lives and investments requires collective responsibility and greater accountability across the built environment.
Industry professionals also advocated stricter sanctions against individuals and firms found guilty of violating construction standards. They maintained that improving professional ethics, adopting modern construction technologies, and strengthening institutional capacity would significantly reduce the frequency of building collapses in Nigeria.
Stakeholders believe sustained enforcement of building regulations, increased public awareness, and continuous professional training are essential to creating safer buildings, protecting lives, and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s real estate and construction sectors.
