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.

The post NIOB Warns Quacks Have No Place in Nigeria’s Building Industry appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

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.

The post FG: Nigeria Recorded Over 650 Building Collapses, 1,600 Deaths in 52 Years appeared first on Housing TV Africa.