The affected structure, housing a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was partially compromised on Monday when a newly erected building under construction adjacent to it collapsed, narrowly missing worshippers who had gathered for service.

Following the incident, officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that no casualties were recorded, though the church premises sustained significant structural damage.

In a follow-up inspection on Tuesday, LASBCA ordered the immediate evacuation of all occupants and pasted three separate notices on the premises, declaring the building unsafe. One of the notices stated that the structure was now considered “distressed” and required demolition within seven days.

A LASBCA official, Adekomi Adeniyi, confirmed that the notice had been issued by the agency after debris from the collapsed construction site was cleared and a further assessment of the church building was conducted.

The notice read in part:
“Notice is hereby given that if the said infraction is not removed within seven days from the date of this notice, the said unauthorised or distressed building shall be demolished and the cost of such demolition recovered from you.”

Pastor Daniel Ojo, who leads the parish, expressed concern over the impact of the demolition order on the congregation, noting that services had already been suspended due to safety concerns.

“We couldn’t hold our service today. The building beside us collapsed into our structure. Even before the incident, we had concerns about how fast the construction was progressing,” Ojo said.

He added that relocating the church temporarily poses a major challenge, as Somolu is predominantly industrial and has limited options for worship venues.

“Finding a suitable space is tough. If we move too far, we may lose members, and this church is more than just a building — it’s a family,” he added.

A nearby trader, who witnessed the collapse, said the construction workers narrowly escaped tragedy by leaping from the upper floors just before the building gave way.

“They were lucky. None of them was downstairs when the building started to give way. They managed to jump down and run for safety,” the trader said.

The incident has reignited questions about the safety and regulatory oversight of construction projects in Lagos, particularly the pace of unmonitored developments in densely populated areas.

The post Lagos Orders Demolition of Church Building After Structural Threat from Nearby Collapse appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The consequences are tragic. Buildings keep collapsing, lives are lost, businesses crumble, and families are left without homes. Developers cut corners, ignoring safety regulations. Many homeowners assume disaster won’t happen to them, while authorities fail to hold anyone accountable.

Under Nigeria’s 2003 Insurance Act (Cap 117), any building used for residential, commercial, educational, or medical purposes must have insurance coverage. This includes protection against collapse, fire, floods, earthquakes, vandalism, theft, and third-party damage. The goal is simple: when a building fails, victims should receive financial compensation, and property owners should have the means to rebuild.

But in reality, most people don’t comply. A survey by Housingtvafrica found that only two out of every ten property owners bother to insure their buildings. The reasons? Some believe “God will protect them,” while others either don’t know the law exists or simply don’t trust insurance companies. Many assume that even if they pay for coverage, they will never receive a payout when disaster strikes.

And yet, compliance is incredibly affordable. The compulsory insurance costs just ₦5,000 per plot and per floor. A two-story building on one plot costs around ₦15,000, while the same structure on two plots is ₦20,000. Developers constructing buildings over two floors are required to secure coverage or face a fine of ₦250,000—or even three years in prison.

Still, enforcement is weak.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

In the past 50 years, Nigeria has recorded at least 629 building collapses, resulting in over 1,578 deaths. Lagos accounts for more than half of these cases, with 326 recorded incidents. Other high-risk states include Anambra, Oyo, Kano, Delta, and the FCT. Meanwhile, states like Gombe, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Katsina have seen the fewest cases.

A recent tragedy underscores the crisis. At Oriwu Estate near Lekki-Epe Expressway, a three-story building under construction collapsed, killing four people and injuring several others. None of the victims had insurance coverage. The owner? Left to deal with the financial losses alone.

The pattern is all too familiar. Injured workers are abandoned. Families of the deceased receive no compensation. Neighbors suffer damage to their properties with no recourse for repairs. And the developers responsible? Many simply move on to the next project, escaping any real consequences.

The Real Cost of Non-Compliance

For property owners, the lack of insurance leads to financial ruin. If a building collapses, they are forced to shoulder reconstruction costs alone. When damages extend to nearby buildings, neighbors must pay for repairs out of pocket. If the owner faces lawsuits, legal fees can run into millions of naira. Without insurance, these losses can be impossible to recover from.

Despite these risks, compliance remains dismal—even in Lagos, where the law is integrated into the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Act. Property owners are required to submit proof of insurance to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), but enforcement has been weak.

Ogun State has also mandated compulsory insurance through its 2022 Building Production Management Authority Regulation. Developers must obtain an All-Risk Insurance Policy for any structure over two floors. This policy covers losses from construction failures, worker injuries, and third-party damage. Yet, like in Lagos, enforcement remains largely ineffective.

Why Nigerians Still Ignore the Law

Experts point to several factors fueling non-compliance:

• Weak Enforcement: State agencies lack the manpower or commitment to enforce the law effectively.

• Lack of Awareness: Many developers and property owners don’t even know insurance is mandatory.

• Mistrust in Insurance Companies: Many believe insurers will take their money but refuse to pay when disaster strikes.

• Cost-Cutting by Developers: Some developers deliberately avoid insurance to save money, even if it puts workers and tenants at risk.

Lola Olawore, an insurance expert at Staco Insurance Plc, believes the only solution is stronger enforcement. “Most Nigerians don’t take insurance seriously unless they are forced to. Look at Third-Party Vehicle Insurance—compliance only increased when the authorities cracked down on violators.”

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has acknowledged the issue. CEO Olusegun Omosehin recently revealed plans to increase Nigeria’s insurance penetration to 5% in the coming years. But for now, most Nigerians still view insurance as unnecessary.

Samson Opaluwah, Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), warns that unless the Contractor All-Risk (CAR) Insurance policy is strictly enforced, the cycle of disaster will continue. “This policy exists to protect buildings and workers on-site. But because enforcement is so weak, most contractors ignore it entirely.”

What Needs to Change?

The solution is simple: strict enforcement, public education, and severe penalties for violators.

The government must:

1. Mandate proof of insurance before construction permits are issued.

2. Conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance.

3. Apply heavy fines and penalties on developers who fail to comply.

4. Educate property owners on the importance of insurance coverage.

Until these measures are taken seriously, more buildings will collapse. More lives will be lost. More investments will be destroyed.

For now, the cycle continues. Developers ignore the law. Authorities fail to act. And when disaster strikes, it’s the victims who pay the ultimate price. Unless something changes, the next tragedy is only a matter of time.

The post Why Nigeria Keeps Losing Lives and Investments to Building Collapses appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa. According to the statement, the affected structures had become hideouts for criminals and posed significant safety risks due to their deteriorating condition.

Government’s Urban Regeneration Efforts

The statement emphasized that the demolition aligns with the government’s commitment to urban regeneration, sustainable development, and mitigating environmental and security risks.

Images shared on LASBCA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account showed wooden and cement structures in poor condition, with some buildings constructed dangerously close to a bridge.

LASBCA General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, stated that due process was followed before marking the structures for demolition. All statutory notices, including Convention and Quit notices, were served to the affected occupants. However, the exact timeline for evacuation was not specified.

Public Safety and Compliance

Oki stressed that removing the illegal structures was crucial for public safety, as many were structurally unsound and served as criminal hideouts, endangering residents and surrounding communities. He warned that non-compliance with the evacuation notice would lead to strict enforcement measures.

Crackdown on Illegal Structures

The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing building regulations and intensifying monitoring efforts to maintain order in the built environment.

LASBCA urged property owners and developers to desist from erecting unauthorized structures, emphasizing that makeshift settlements contribute to environmental hazards and urban disorganization. The agency also warned that violations of building laws would not be tolerated and that legal consequences could follow for those who fail to comply with demolition orders.

The post Lagos to Demolish Illegal Structures in Otu-Mara Over Security, Structural risks appeared first on Housing TV Africa.