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.

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The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling building collapse by strengthening regulatory enforcement and construction standards across the state.

This renewed stance forms part of a broader zero-tolerance policy aimed at safeguarding lives and property amid rising concerns over structural failures.

Stricter enforcement of construction standards

Speaking at a management retreat of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency in Epe, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, said the government would intensify enforcement of quality standards in building construction.

Agoro, who was represented by Abdulrafiu Fashola, described the initiative as critical to the safety and economic stability of Lagos, noting that the state’s rapid urbanisation requires stricter compliance with approved building standards. 

He emphasised that the integrity of any structure depends heavily on the quality of materials and adherence to proper construction processes.

Zero-tolerance policy on building collapse

According to the government, the zero-tolerance policy is not just a regulatory framework but a commitment to residents to ensure safer buildings.

Agoro stressed that enforcement must go beyond documentation and be actively implemented at construction sites.

He also warned that contractors who compromise standards would face strict consequences, as the state seeks to eliminate the use of substandard materials such as weak concrete and poor-quality reinforcement rods. 

Role of LSMTL in enforcement

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency has been identified as a key driver of the enforcement process.

The agency is responsible for testing construction materials and ensuring compliance with safety standards across building projects.

Its General Manager, Olayinka Abdul, described the anti-collapse policy as a “survival imperative,” noting that repeated building failures have led to loss of lives, investments and public confidence.

She revealed that the agency is undergoing reforms to become a more proactive and globally compliant regulatory body, including adopting international laboratory standards and expanding its operational capacity. 

Measures to strengthen monitoring

As part of its enforcement strategy, the agency has expanded laboratory infrastructure, established additional sample collection centres and deployed mobile compliance units to monitor construction activities more effectively.

Officials said these measures are aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays in testing and ensuring that building projects meet required standards before completion.

There were also calls for stronger legal backing to punish offenders and improve accountability within the construction sector.

Call for collaboration and accountability

Stakeholders at the retreat emphasised the need for collaboration among government agencies, construction professionals and developers to address the root causes of building collapse.

They noted that sustained training, modern equipment and strict supervision are essential to achieving long-term results.

The government reiterated that continuous monitoring and enforcement would remain central to its strategy to prevent future incidents.

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