The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, has cleared the structural design and materials used for the ongoing Gombe State House of Assembly Complex, attributing the collapse of its entrance canopy to deficiencies in construction procedures and temporary support arrangements.

The findings were contained in the report of an eight-member COREN investigation panel constituted to examine the collapse of the reinforced concrete cantilevered entrance canopy at the project site.

The incident occurred while fresh concrete was being placed on the canopy, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to seven others. The injured workers were taken to the Gombe State Specialist Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe.

The investigation examined the project’s structural design, reinforcement detailing, concrete test results, working drawings, construction sequence, temporary formwork and propping arrangements.

Presenting the report to the Gombe State Government, COREN National Registrar, Okorie Austin Uche, said the panel found that the consulting structural engineer was qualified and that the structural design had been checked and sealed.

However, the investigation identified deficiencies in the way the work was executed.

Construction sequence identified as key factor

According to COREN, the temporary formwork and construction sequence were among the probable contributing factors to the collapse.

The panel found that the canopy was cast at once instead of having the concrete placed progressively in stages. This placed significant demands on the temporary support system during the concrete placement process.

COREN said the temporary formwork was a critical part of the load-bearing arrangement while the fresh concrete was being placed.

The investigation also found that the contractor had failed to engage registered relevant professionals, including engineers and architects, on the project.

The panel further established that although the structural drawings had been checked and sealed by the consulting structural engineer, the working drawings had not received approval from the relevant approval authority.

Materials found to be adequate

The investigation did not find the concrete or reinforcement materials responsible for the collapse.

COREN said an assessment of the concrete test results showed that the concrete had adequate compressive strength. Integrity tests conducted on the standing structure also supported the finding that the remaining structure was technically adequate.

The reinforcement bars found at the site were similarly assessed and found to be consistent with the sizes and quality specified in the structural drawings.

The findings therefore cleared the design and materials from being the primary cause of the canopy failure, while drawing attention to the manner in which the construction work was executed.

Construction cleared to resume

Following the integrity assessment, COREN cleared the standing structure for construction to continue.

However, the resumption is subject to stronger professional supervision and the involvement of properly qualified and registered professionals.

The panel recommended that the contractor and consultant ensure adequate professional oversight throughout the remaining stages of the project.

The Gombe State Government has pledged to implement the recommendations.

Receiving the report on behalf of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau said the government deliberately allowed the technical investigation to run its course before taking further action on the project.

He said the recommendations would be carefully studied and implemented as construction resumes.

The deputy governor also stressed that the government was not in a hurry to complete the project at the expense of quality and safety.

COREN calls for stronger professional supervision

COREN said the incident also highlighted the importance of professional mentorship and supervision in the engineering sector.

The council noted that completing university training is not, by itself, sufficient preparation for independent engineering practice and stressed the importance of practical experience under qualified professionals before engineers receive full professional responsibility.

The council also urged government to ensure that engineering contracts are executed with the involvement of properly licensed professionals.

The COREN panel said the investigation lasted about two months, with part of the period required to clear the collapsed structure and conduct the necessary technical assessments.

The Gombe Assembly Complex can now proceed with construction, but under enhanced professional supervision and closer adherence to approved engineering procedures.

The findings also provide a reminder of the importance of proper temporary works, approved working drawings, appropriate construction sequencing and qualified professional supervision in the execution of major public infrastructure projects.

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The Gombe State Government has formalised contracts for multiple infrastructure projects aimed at expanding road networks, improving aviation facilities, and strengthening urban planning across the state.

The agreements were signed at the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation, with senior government officials and representatives of the contracting firms in attendance.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transportation, Engr. Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, said the projects reflect Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to modern infrastructure development and improved living standards for residents.

He urged contractors to deliver quality work in strict compliance with approved designs and timelines, stressing that the government would not tolerate substandard execution. Kallamu also assured contractors of institutional support to ensure smooth project delivery.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mallam Danladi Adamu, said the projects align with the state’s long-term development agenda and were approved at the final State Executive Council meeting of 2025 chaired by the governor.

Key projects include the upgrade of Gombe International Airport in Lawanti, construction of new roads and facilities at the Qatar Foundation site along the Southern By-pass, and the development of a Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS) Area Office in the Shehu Abubakar District.

Other approved works cover the construction of 6.3 kilometres of internal roads within the Family Homes Estate behind the NNPC Depot in Tunfure, road links connecting ATC Gombe to the GSU Expressway, and the reconstruction of Layin Speaker Road, extending to Kasuwan Mata.

The state also approved additional road infrastructure within the Special Capital Development Zone, including an extension of the new expressway from the Federal Teaching Hospital through the emerging State Secretariat Complex and Shongo Housing Estate, linking the Western By-pass.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Engr. Ibrahim Abba Gana expressed appreciation to the state government and pledged that the projects would be executed according to specification and within agreed delivery schedules.

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The Gombe State Government has begun disbursing ₦726 million in scholarships to 12,101 female students under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, a World Bank–assisted programme designed to boost girls’ access to quality education and improve school infrastructure across the state.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Jatau, described the initiative as a major step forward in the state’s drive for inclusive and equitable education.

“This investment in our girls is an investment in the future of Gombe State,” Yahaya said, noting that the scholarship targets female students in public junior and senior secondary schools because of their vital role in family and community development.

Alongside the scholarships, the government also unveiled the School Improvement Grants for 537 public secondary schools to upgrade infrastructure, improve safety, and enhance learning conditions. The grants are categorised as follows:

• Small Schools (≈200 students): ₦23.1 million each
• Medium Schools (≈500 students): ₦46.2 million each
• Large Schools (1,000+ students): ₦92.4 million each

Governor Yahaya commended the World Bank, AGILE Project Implementation Unit, and the Ministry of Education for their efforts, urging school committees and communities to ensure transparent use of the funds.

Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aishatu Maigari, described the project as a milestone in Governor Yahaya’s vision to transform basic and secondary education. “This initiative reflects inclusion, equity, and sustainable growth. Through Your Excellency’s leadership, Gombe has successfully implemented AGILE to reach thousands of girls,” she said.

AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Amina Haruna, explained that the project aims to eliminate barriers to girls’ education by providing financial support and improving school facilities. She stressed accountability in fund utilisation and praised the active involvement of traditional and religious leaders in promoting the programme.

Highlighting the scholarship’s benefits, Dr. Haruna said each girl would receive ₦60,000 per session — ₦40,000 for uniforms and learning materials, and ₦10,000 per term for other school needs. “This will ease the financial burden on parents who want their daughters educated but lack the means,” she added.

The ceremony ended with the symbolic presentation of ATM cards to beneficiaries and cheques to school representatives.

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The fatalities occurred in different parts of the state, including Akko, Kwami, Funakaye, and Yamaltu Deba Local Government Areas. The victims were swept away by fast-moving floodwaters or drowned in erosion sites and open drainage systems.

Authorities described the incidents as both tragic and preventable, highlighting the urgent need for increased public awareness and proactive safety measures. They emphasized that most of the victims were young persons caught off guard by rapidly rising waters in unsecured or unregulated water environments.

Residents have been urged to avoid swimming or walking near rivers, erosion sites, and open water channels, especially during and after heavy rainfall. Parents and guardians are advised to closely supervise children and discourage outdoor activities near hazardous zones.

Communities are also encouraged to take responsibility for public safety by installing warning signs, erecting barricades around high-risk areas, and promptly reporting uncovered or dangerous erosion sites to the appropriate authorities for intervention.

Caution was also advised against attempting to walk or drive through flooded areas, as water depth and currents can be misleading and life-threatening.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and called on all residents to cooperate by adopting safety precautions and reporting dangers in their environment. The aim, they said, is to prevent further loss of life as the rainy season intensifies.

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According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, the headline inflation rate cooled to 23.71% year-on-year—a marginal dip from 24.23% in March 2025 and a significant fall from the 33.69% recorded in April 2024. On a month-on-month basis, consumer prices rose by 1.86%, a sharp deceleration from the previous month’s 3.90%, indicating a slight relief in the pace of price increases.

However, the national average conceals acute disparities across the country. Several states reported inflation rates far exceeding the average, with Enugu State topping the list at a staggering 36.0% year-on-year. Others crossing the 30% threshold included Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Delta, Gombe, Sokoto, and Abuja.

The uneven distribution of inflation suggests localized pressures, especially in urban centres. Urban inflation held at 24.29%, reflecting persistent cost-of-living challenges for city dwellers, while rural inflation came in slightly lower at 22.83%.

Among the states with the most alarming figures:

Enugu experienced a 12.3% rise in its general price level within a month, accompanied by a 24.4% food inflation rate.

Kebbi reported all-items inflation of 35.1%, with food prices soaring by 33.8% year-on-year.

Niger State witnessed a notable 14.7% month-on-month increase, the highest jump nationally, pushing its overall inflation to 34.8%.

Benue, grappling with insecurity and supply chain issues, saw food prices balloon by 51.8% year-on-year, one of the most extreme spikes in the country.

Ekiti and Nasarawa also saw monthly price increases surpassing 10%, contributing to respective annual inflation rates of 34.0% and 33.3%.

Even Abuja, the seat of government, reported 32.9% inflation—an indicator of how widespread the economic challenges have become. While food inflation in the capital showed a slight monthly decline of 0.7%, the overall price burden remains heavy.

Some states, such as Delta and Gombe, experienced high inflation driven more by non-food sectors. Rising costs in housing, utilities, and transportation have become major contributors in these regions.

Nationally, food inflation eased to 21.26% in April 2025—significantly down from 40.53% a year earlier. This improvement is partly attributed to adjustments in the statistical base year and the reduced prices of staples like rice, maize flour, and beans. However, food price increases still weigh heavily on households in many states.

The average 12-month food inflation now stands at 31.43%, a slight drop from the 32.74% recorded previously. Meanwhile, core inflation—which excludes volatile categories like food and energy—also moderated, falling to 23.39% year-on-year and 1.34% month-on-month.

Despite these positive trends at the national level, inflationary pressure remains uneven, especially in areas affected by insecurity, poor infrastructure, or disrupted supply chains. Experts warn that unless structural issues are addressed, vulnerable populations in high-inflation states will continue to face rising poverty and reduced purchasing power.

The report underscores a critical point: while national indicators may point to easing inflation, for many Nigerians, the cost of living crisis remains very real—and deeply regional.

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Speaking during a recent interview on BBC Hausa, Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the strategic importance of both the oil drilling operations and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project. According to him, these initiatives are essential to strengthening Nigeria’s economy.

“We’re moving forward with drilling in the Kolmani field and continuing our work on the AKK gas pipeline,” Ojulari explained. “The companies already engaged in the project will remain on-site, and we’re also open to new partnerships. These projects will have a significant positive impact on Nigerians, and by next month, people will begin to see visible results.”

The AKK gas pipeline spans 614 kilometers, running from Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Kano, with transit points in Abuja, Kaduna, and Zaria. The infrastructure is designed to transport natural gas across several northern states, supporting industrial and domestic use.

In 2019, NNPC discovered hydrocarbon deposits in the Kolmani River II Well, located in the Gongola Basin within Nigeria’s Upper Benue Trough. This find marked a milestone as the first confirmed commercial oil discovery in the northern part of the country. Drilling officially commenced in 2022 under a federal government initiative.

The discovery in Kolmani is believed to hold over one billion barrels of crude oil and approximately 500 billion cubic feet of natural gas. According to NNPC, the project has already drawn $3 billion in investments and is expected to drive foreign interest, create employment opportunities, and significantly increase national revenue.

Ojulari also touched on the company’s relationship with the Dangote Refinery, stating that any previous disputes have been resolved.

“We commend Aliko Dangote for his bold investment in the continent,” he said. “The issues between NNPC and the Dangote Refinery have been settled. We’re now working together toward a shared goal — improving access to fuel for Nigerians. Fuel marketers will soon be able to make direct purchases from the refinery without delay. We’re committed to solving any future challenges cooperatively and efficiently.”

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The project was officially launched near Gombe City Gate, on the outskirts of Gombe metropolis, with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State joining forces with the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, and Minister of State, Engr. Abdullahi T. Gwarzo.

Governor Yahaya, speaking to reporters following the launch, expressed his satisfaction with Gombe being chosen as one of the pioneer states in the Northeast for this vital housing initiative. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ endeavors.

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Arc. Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, elaborated on the significance of the ‘Renewed Hope’ project, highlighting its aim to tackle housing shortages and provide affordable housing options for Nigerians.

He revealed that the government’s initial target is to deliver 50,000 housing units nationwide, starting with two states from each geopolitical zone. Gombe, alongside Yobe, has been selected from the Northeast sub-region to kickstart this ambitious endeavor.

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