Two residents escaped serious danger on Friday after part of a one-storey residential building collapsed in Kubwa 2/2, near Yellow Page, Abuja.

The victims were inside the ground floor when the right section of the building suddenly gave way at about 11:30am. Rescue teams pulled both residents from the rubble alive and took them to Kubwa General Hospital for treatment.

The Head of Media and Public Relations at the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Nkechi Isa, confirmed the incident in a statement.

Rescue Operation

FEMD received a distress call about eight minutes after the collapse, at 11:38am. The agency then mobilised its response team to the affected property.

Rescuers reached the scene and worked to free the two trapped residents. Both victims survived the incident and remain in stable condition at the hospital.

No death has been reported in connection with the collapse.

The affected property contains six blocks of flats. However, most of the other occupants were away when the incident occurred. Their absence helped reduce the number of people exposed to the collapse.

Despite the successful rescue, the incident caused major damage to personal belongings and household items belonging to residents.

Authorities Begin Investigation

The Department of Development Control also responded to the scene alongside the FCT Police Command.

The agencies moved to secure the area and begin inquiries into what caused the structural failure. Authorities have not yet released a cause for the collapse.

The investigation will be important in determining whether issues linked to construction, structural integrity or compliance with approved building requirements played any role.

Building Safety and Housing in Abuja

The Kubwa incident again draws attention to the importance of building safety in Abuja’s growing residential communities.

Nigeria continues to face strong demand for housing. As developers respond to that demand, construction quality and regulatory compliance remain important parts of safe housing delivery.

Building approvals, proper structural design and effective site supervision can help reduce risks during construction and occupancy. Development control agencies also play an important role in ensuring that projects follow approved plans and relevant building requirements.

Building failures can have consequences beyond physical damage. Residents may lose household possessions, face temporary displacement and incur unexpected costs after a collapse.

For property owners and developers, the incident also highlights the need to treat structural safety as a core part of housing development. Affordable housing should not come at the expense of safety or compliance with construction standards.

Wider Housing Implications

The collapse in Kubwa highlights a wider challenge for Nigeria’s housing sector. The country needs more homes, but it also needs homes that can provide safe and secure living conditions.

Authorities, developers and other construction professionals all have roles to play in maintaining building standards. Stronger monitoring and timely intervention can help identify potential risks before they become emergencies.

For now, the two rescued residents remain under medical care at Kubwa General Hospital. Meanwhile, the relevant FCT authorities will continue to secure the site and investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

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The Nigerian Institution of Building (NIOB) has warned that quacks pose a serious threat to building safety in Nigeria.

The NIOB President, Mr Daniel Kolade, spoke on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the institution’s 56th annual conference in Abuja.

The conference focused on “Repositioning the Building Profession, Advocacy and Policy Influence in Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment.”

NIOB Calls for Action Against Quacks

Kolade said the conference gave builders from across Nigeria a chance to discuss key challenges in the building sector.

He said the discussions also examined ways to improve housing delivery through better policies and stronger professional practice.

According to Kolade, government, professionals and the public must work together to tackle quackery in the construction industry.

He called on the Federal Government to give full legal backing to the National Building Code.

Some states have already adopted the code. However, Kolade said stronger federal action remains necessary.

He said better enforcement would help improve compliance with building standards and reduce the risk of building collapse.

NIOB Wants Prevention of Building Collapse

Kolade also raised concerns about the repeated cases of building collapse across Nigeria.

He questioned whether government action after a building collapse has stopped the problem from happening again.

The NIOB president said authorities should focus more on preventing building failures.

He also called for stricter enforcement of approved construction standards.

Building collapse remains a major concern for Nigeria’s housing sector. Such incidents can lead to deaths, property losses and higher costs for affected families and investors.

Public Urged to Hire Qualified Professionals

Kolade urged professionals in the built environment to perform their duties with care.

He also warned Nigerians against giving professional construction work to unqualified people.

He described a quack as a person who claims to handle almost every part of a building project without the required training or certification.

Such work may include preparing building designs, construction and maintenance.

Kolade advised property owners to check the qualifications of people they hire for building projects.

He said Nigerians should not sacrifice safety in an attempt to reduce construction costs.

The NIOB president encouraged property owners to engage qualified builders, architects, engineers and other relevant professionals.

Professional Standards Key to Safer Housing

Kolade said professional involvement at every stage of construction can help reduce construction risks.

Qualified professionals can help identify poor workmanship, design problems and failures to meet building regulations.

This issue is important as Nigeria works to increase housing supply.

The country needs more homes, but new housing must also meet safety and quality standards.

Poor construction practices can increase risks for homeowners, tenants, developers and investors.

NIOB Supports Renewed Hope Housing

Kolade said the NIOB remains ready to support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative.

He specifically mentioned the Renewed Hope Housing projects across the country.

However, he called for policies that would increase the role of qualified professionals in government housing programmes.

He said professional input would help ensure that housing projects meet required standards.

Kolade also welcomed the position presented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume.

Akume chaired the opening ceremony of the NIOB conference.

Kolade said the NIOB would continue to work with the government and other stakeholders to improve the building industry.

He also said the institution would support efforts to promote sustainable housing delivery.

NIOB Says Quacks Have No Hiding Place

Kolade said the NIOB would intensify efforts to identify unqualified practitioners in the industry.

He urged professionals to challenge practices that put building safety at risk.

“My message for them is that they should just know that their time is over. There is no more hiding place for those quacks within the industry,” he said.

The statement reflects the institution’s growing focus on professional standards and accountability within the building sector.

Jos North Chairman Calls for Compliance

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Jos North Local Government, Plateau, Mr John Christopher, called for strict compliance with approved building standards.

Christopher said quality housing remains important to human life.

He urged young professionals to embrace new ideas while keeping safety and quality at the centre of their work.

He also called for stronger compliance with approved building designs and specifications.

According to him, the rising cases of building collapse make such action necessary.

Christopher further urged the Federal Government to give greater attention to housing development and affordable shelter.

Housing remains one of the basic needs of Nigerians.

The NIOB’s warning highlights a major challenge for Nigeria’s housing and construction sectors. Increasing the supply of homes must go hand in hand with strong regulation and professional practice.

Better enforcement of building standards can help protect lives, property and investment while supporting safer housing delivery across the country.

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The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has urged construction professionals to take a more active role in shaping government policies on housing and building development.

The institute said stronger professional input could help Nigeria address its housing challenges while improving building quality and safety. It also called for closer cooperation between government and professionals across the built environment.

The NIOB President, Abimbola Daniel Kolade, made the call ahead of the institute’s 56th Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja.

NIOB seeks stronger housing policies

Kolade said builders and other professionals should contribute more to national discussions on housing delivery. He identified affordable housing, building quality and the enforcement of construction standards as key areas requiring greater attention.

He also called for policies that support sustainable infrastructure and better training and certification for construction workers.

According to the NIOB president, government agencies, professionals, private companies and other stakeholders need to work together to improve housing delivery.

The institute said stronger collaboration could help address some of the problems affecting construction and housing development across the country.

Building standards remain a priority

Building regulation remains an important part of housing delivery because construction standards affect the safety, durability and quality of homes and other structures.

The NIOB’s position also places professional training and certification at the centre of efforts to improve construction standards. Better skills among workers can support improved building practices and help professionals meet required standards.

The institute said policy decisions should therefore reflect the practical experience of professionals who work directly within the construction sector.

Conference to examine industry challenges

The 3rd Vice President of NIOB and Chairman of its Marketing and Corporate Affairs Committee, Dr Adeshina Aladeloba, said preparations for the institute’s conference had been completed.

He said the Abuja event would bring together builders, policymakers, government officials, corporate organisations and other industry stakeholders.

The participants are expected to examine challenges affecting the construction industry and discuss possible solutions.

The conference will also provide an opportunity for professionals to engage with policymakers and other stakeholders on issues affecting housing and construction.

Built environment professionals urged to collaborate

NIOB National Publicity Secretary, Usenobong Emmanuel Atangaedi, said progress in the built environment would require cooperation among different professional groups.

He identified architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, estate surveyors and valuers, and town planners as part of the wider group that must contribute to solving industry challenges.

The call reflects the interconnected nature of housing development. A housing project depends not only on builders but also on planning, design, valuation, infrastructure, financing and effective regulation.

Implications for housing development

The institute’s position comes at a time when housing affordability and construction quality remain important issues for Nigeria’s built environment.

Housing policy affects how homes are planned, financed and delivered. Building standards also influence construction costs, project timelines and the long-term performance of buildings.

Greater professional participation in policymaking could help bridge the gap between government policy and conditions on construction sites. It could also support better coordination between public agencies, developers and professionals.

The NIOB’s call for stronger standards, improved training and wider professional participation therefore extends beyond the construction industry. It touches on the quality, safety and affordability of housing and the broader development of Nigeria’s urban areas.

The post NIOB Calls for Stronger Housing Policies and Building Standards appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Ogun State Government has issued a seven-day quit notice to the management of the Ibara Housing Estate Mosque in Abeokuta, warning that the over 25-year-old structure may be demolished.

The notice, dated November 5, 2025, was signed by the General Manager of the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority and directed the mosque community to vacate the premises within one week. It also stated that the government would not be responsible for any loss or damage during the demolition.

Part of the notice read: “You are hereby informed to vacate the property within seven days from the date of service of this notice. Remove all valuables within the specified time. The Authority will not be liable for any claim or compensation for properties damaged or destroyed during the demolition.”

Officials reportedly served the notice shortly after the Zuhr (noon) prayers, which caused concern among worshippers who described the action as sudden and unfair.

Findings showed that the mosque had not previously received any formal warning or contravention notice. However, a separate document titled “Notice of Contravention,” signed by the same General Manager, was also delivered on the same day.

The contravention notice alleged that the mosque had changed its use from residential to public worship and had carried out development without official approval. It ordered the management to submit all relevant planning documents, including development permits, within 24 hours or restore the property to its original residential purpose within seven days.

The authority cited violations of the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022, warning that failure to comply would result in demolition after due process.

Members of the mosque community have appealed to the government to reconsider the decision and engage in dialogue to resolve the matter peacefully.

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Former Senate President, Pius Anyim, has urged all Nigerian states to adopt national building laws to curb the frequent cases of building collapses.

Speaking at the 55th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) in Abakaliki, Anyim said the laws provide the foundation for safe and sustainable construction.

“The laws set minimum standards for design, construction, and maintenance. They also mandate professional certification while preventing quackery and unapproved projects,” he explained.

Anyim noted that some states have domesticated the laws, aligning with global best practices. However, many states are still behind, creating gaps in regulation.

“Where domestication is absent, enforcement is weak. This results in collapses, fire hazards, substandard projects, and urban disorder,” he warned.

He called for full adoption of the laws across all 36 states and the FCT, stressing that compliance would protect lives, attract investments, and build a resilient Nigeria.

Anyim commended the NIOB for advancing discussions on safety and thanked Governor Francis Nwifuru for hosting the conference. He also appealed to professional bodies, regulators, and governments to support stronger enforcement.

“Builders must not only comply but also advocate for institutionalisation. This is how we restore public trust and ensure safer cities,” he concluded.

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