The (BCPG), Ojodu Cell, has urged building owners, regulators and property managers across Nigeria to adopt smart monitoring devices in high-risk buildings to help detect structural problems early and prevent potential collapse.

The group made the call following a recent school building collapse in the Ogba area of , which fortunately recorded no casualties after pupils and staff were evacuated in time.

The recommendation was contained in a joint statement signed by the BCPG Ojodu Cell Coordinator, , the General Secretary, , and the Public Relations Officer, .

School collapse sparks safety concerns

The group said the incident involved a building at located on Adu Street in Aguda, Ogba, within the of Lagos State.

According to BCPG, the collapse demonstrated the importance of early detection and evacuation systems in preventing loss of life.

The guild noted that modern smart monitoring systems can provide real-time alerts when structural elements of buildings begin to show signs of stress or potential failure.

How smart monitoring systems work

The group explained that modern building collapse detection systems rely on Internet of Things (IoT) sensors embedded within key structural components of buildings.

These sensors continuously monitor stress levels, structural movement and vibration within columns, beams and other parts of the building.

Once these sensors detect that a building has exceeded safe thresholds—such as bending beams, deflecting columns or unusual vibrations—automatic alarms are triggered to alert occupants and building managers to evacuate and take corrective action.

Warning signs often appear before collapse

According to the guild, buildings often display warning signs before structural failure occurs.

Common indicators include cracks in walls or columns, concrete spalling, bulging surfaces, unusual vibrations and deflection in floors or beams.

BCPG stressed that paying attention to such warning signs can provide a critical window for intervention before a collapse occurs.

The organisation advised that high-occupancy structures such as schools, hospitals and multi-storey residential buildings should be prioritised for the installation of early warning systems.

Lessons from previous tragedies

The guild also recalled the tragic collapse of a school building at Ita-Faaji on Lagos Island in 2019, which claimed the lives of about 20 pupils.

It said structural warning signs such as cracks and concrete damage were reportedly noticed before that incident, but the building collapsed before occupants could be evacuated.

BCPG said the recent escape of pupils and staff from the Yemco school collapse should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to prioritise building safety measures.

The group further urged the to urgently address concerns about distressed school buildings, including a three-storey structure at Mainland Senior High School in the Yaba area of the state.

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