The alarming frequency of building collapses across Nigeria has sparked growing concern among professionals, regulators, and the public, with experts warning of systemic failures in construction practices and weak regulatory oversight.

According to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Nigeria has recorded 653 building collapse incidents, claiming 1,616 lives, with the majority of casualties reported in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

In recent months, several major cities have witnessed tragic incidents that claimed dozens of lives, injured scores, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

Recently, Housing TV Africa reported the collapse of a three-storey building under construction near the Anambra State House of Assembly, trapping several workers and sending shockwaves through the community. Industry professionals stressed the urgent need to prioritize quality building materials despite the rising cost of construction.

Speaking exclusively to Housing Tv correspondent, Abiodun Osubu, Executive Director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Barr. Festus Adebayo, emphasized the need for stronger preventive measures.

“The government must prioritize continuous training of site engineers and empower agencies to shut down unsafe sites before disasters happen,” he said.

Data from the BCPG further revealed that between 1974 and 2023, Nigeria recorded over 500 building collapse cases, with Lagos State alone accounting for more than 60 percent of incidents. Analysts warn the trend is worsening due to rapid urbanization, weak enforcement of building codes, and the use of substandard materials.

Stakeholders continue to call for stricter sanctions against contractors and developers found guilty of negligence. The Lagos State Government has also intensified demolition of illegal structures, including parts of the Lagos Trade Fair Complex, warning that non-compliance with planning and safety laws will no longer be tolerated.

Beyond enforcement, experts highlight the need for public awareness campaigns to discourage patronage of unqualified builders and unsafe construction practices.

Meanwhile, victims and families of collapse incidents continue to count their losses, as most disasters also expose the inadequacy of emergency response services.

Urban planners also caution that unless urgent steps are taken, the rising rate of building collapses could escalate into a full-blown public health and safety crisis for Nigeria.

The post Experts Say Nigeria’s Soaring Building Collapses Demand Urgent Action appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

This warning came during a recent stakeholder forum in Lagos. The event was titled “Boosting the Building Industry Value Chain with Standard Roofing Sheets.” Industry leaders, government officials, and building professionals attended.

Theresa Ojomo, Director of SON Lagos Office, explained that many local manufacturers and installers are ignoring the Nigerian Industrial Standards. She said roofing sheets must meet strict rules for thickness, strength, and chemical composition. Painted and stone-coated sheets are also expected to follow these guidelines.

Ojomo warned that without proper coating, roofing sheets break down quickly. Rain and weather exposure can lead to leaks, roof collapse, and chemical pollution. In some cases, these chemicals can get into water supplies.

SON recently destroyed a batch of imported roofing sheets that failed quality checks. These products did not meet the required thickness or chemical composition.

Cletus Igbojionu from the Association of Secondary Aluminium Producers of Nigeria also spoke at the forum. He said poor wooden support and climate change make the problem worse. He added that windy rain can expose weak roofing, no matter the thickness of the sheet.

To fix this, his group has started training carpenters and installers. They must now earn a MANCAP certificate from SON before working professionally.

Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of SON, was represented at the event by Talatu Ethan, Director of Corporate Affairs. Ethan said SON is working with industry partners to improve product quality. She noted that roofing sheets are not just materials but the final layer of protection for any building.

Ethan warned that fake products can lead to serious harm, property damage, and loss of trust in honest manufacturers. She said SON is increasing enforcement through MANCAP and SONCAP programs. The agency is also checking ports to stop the entry of substandard imports.

SON has raided illegal warehouses and started legal action against those who break the rules. Ethan stressed that strong enforcement alone is not enough. She called for full cooperation from everyone in the industry.

Finally, SON is urging manufacturers, builders, importers, and installers to follow quality standards. Any product that fails to meet the rules will be seized or destroyed.

The post SON Warns Against Influx of Fake Roofing Sheets in Nigeria appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar-Muslim, refuted the claim while addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, March 21, 2025.

The project was awarded to Amirco Engineering for N7.23 billion and is being executed according to agreed engineering standards and specifications.

A publication alleged that culverts were built using blocks instead of reinforced concrete, misrepresenting project specifications entirely.

Umar-Muslim clarified that the culverts were constructed using machine-pressed blocks, which meet all global engineering safety standards.

He explained that government engineers are monitoring the project closely, ensuring strict compliance with all contract terms and conditions.

The project includes road scarification, excavation, embankment filling, stone pitching, and construction of block-lined drains on both sides.

A detailed financial breakdown shows N6.82 billion for civil works, N63.9 million for water relocation, and N339.9 million compensation.

Umar-Muslim criticized the report for being misleading, failing to give fair hearing, and attempting to damage Governor Nasir Idris’ reputation.

The post Kebbi Government Denies Use of Substandard Materials in Argungu Road Project appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a year fraught with upheaval, Nigeria’s real estate sector found itself at a crossroads, grappling with a cocktail of challenges that sent shockwaves through the nation.

From the bulldozers flattening homes and businesses to soaring inflation gutting the purchasing power of millions, 2024 painted a grim picture for the industry that once stood as a pillar of economic resilience. Developers, investors, and everyday Nigerians felt the pinch as the dream of affordable housing seemed to drift even further out of reach.

The crisis began with a wave of demolitions that swept across the country, leaving devastation in its wake. Urban planning enforcement and ambitious government projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway displaced countless families and businesses. In Lagos alone, entire communities were razed in Ojota, Lekki, and Alaba. Similar stories echoed across Anambra, Enugu, Kano, and other states, as bulldozers moved in, often with little warning. While some demolitions were justified to address illegal constructions, others seemed politically motivated, fueling resentment among those affected. Victims criticized not only the government’s heavy-handed approach but also its failure to prevent such structures from being erected in the first place.

Compounding the chaos was Nigeria’s unrelenting inflation, which surged to a staggering 33.88% by October 2024, its highest level in decades. The rising cost of living drained household budgets and sent prices for essential building materials through the roof. Cement, a cornerstone of construction, saw its price skyrocket from N5,000 to N13,000 per bag, despite promises from manufacturers to lower costs. Developers balked at proposed price caps of N7,000–N8,000 per bag, arguing that such measures were unsustainable and would only exacerbate the country’s 28-million-unit housing deficit. Critics called out cement giants like BUA for failing to deliver on earlier pledges to slash prices to N3,500, leaving many questioning whether these promises were ever realistic.

The ripple effects of these pressures were profound. Construction projects stalled as developers struggled to absorb ballooning costs. Property prices soared, placing home ownership out of reach for much of the population.

The housing deficit widened, leaving millions stranded without access to affordable options. Industry experts warned that if the crisis continued unchecked, the consequences would be dire, with rent hikes, abandoned projects, and a real estate market teetering on the brink of collapse.

Despite its significant contribution of N11 trillion to Nigeria’s GDP, the real estate sector’s growth remained sluggish throughout 2024, with quarterly rates lagging behind national averages. Reports highlighted a troubling mismatch between demand and supply, fueled by rapid urbanization and the absence of unified housing policies.

Regulatory bottlenecks, high-interest rates, and limited access to land added to the sector’s woes. Meanwhile, the push for affordable housing remained largely rhetorical, as policymakers failed to address the structural barriers preventing real progress.

The year also saw a grim continuation of Nigeria’s building collapse epidemic, with 627 reported incidents since 1974 claiming over 1,500 lives. Poor regulatory enforcement, substandard materials, and a lack of accountability were cited as key factors in these preventable tragedies. One of the most harrowing incidents occurred in Ibadan in late October, where 10 lives were lost in yet another catastrophic collapse.

Industry leaders and stakeholders called for urgent reforms to stabilize the sector and prevent further decline. Proposals ranged from incentivizing local developers with low-interest loans to reducing reliance on imported materials by promoting alternatives like bamboo and interlocking blocks. Experts also urged the government to prioritize budget allocations for housing, address land title delays, and implement policies that would make mortgages accessible to both formal and informal workers.

As the year drew to a close, the real estate sector stood at a precarious juncture. While the challenges of 2024 underscored the sector’s vulnerabilities, they also illuminated opportunities for transformative change. Whether Nigeria seizes these opportunities or lets them slip away will determine the trajectory of the housing market—and the lives of millions in the years to come.

The post Real Estate Faces Tough Times as Demolitions and Inflation Rock Sector in 2024 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.