The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Ekiti State Chapter, has called for concerted efforts by the government, the public, construction professionals and relevant agencies to address the persistent issue of building and infrastructure collapse in Nigeria.
The call was made during a campaign titled “Walk Against Building and Infrastructure Collapse in Nigeria” held on January 25, 2025, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
The event, themed “Say No to Building Collapse: Build Right and Build Safe; Patronize Professional Civil Engineers”, included a road walk aimed at educating residents on the importance of safe construction practices.
Speaking during the programme, the Chairman of NICE in Ekiti State, Engr. Samuel Oluwafemi Ogundare expressed concern over the increasing cases of building and infrastructure collapse in Nigeria, which he said had caused substantial loss of lives and property.
He noted that the incidents have also eroded public confidence in the construction sector, urging the Ekiti State Government to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with stringent safety and quality standards.
Engr. Ogundare identified several causes of building collapse, including poor construction practices, the use of substandard materials, inadequate quality control, weak enforcement of building codes, corruption within the construction industry and a lack of public awareness about the importance of adhering to building standards.
He explained that these factors compromise the structural integrity of buildings and make them susceptible to failure.
Citing data from the Building Collapse and Prevention Guild (BCPG), the Ekiti NICE Chairman revealed that between 2003 and December 2024, Nigeria recorded 73 incidents of building collapse, resulting in over #1.7 trillion in property losses, 235 serious injuries, and 35 fatalities.
He stressed that the consequences of the failures are devastating, not only for individuals and families but also for communities.
As part of ways to address the challenges, Engr. Ogundare called on the government to strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure strict enforcement of building codes.
He also advocated mandatory structural integrity assessments for buildings constructed over the past 15 years, with certifications to be submitted to relevant authorities, while emphasizing the need for regular training and certification of construction professionals to improve their skills and adherence to global best practices.
Engr. Ogundare further urged the public to prioritize safety by engaging certified professionals for construction projects; just as he called for the implementation of more public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the risks associated with substandard construction.
He equally emphasized the importance of tackling corruption in the construction industry by enforcing transparency and eliminating bribery.
The Ekiti State chairman of NICE, while advocating routine inspections of construction sites to identify potential hazards and ensure safety measures are upheld, reaffirmed the Institution’s commitment to promoting safe building practices and called for collective action to safeguard lives and property across the state and the nation at large.
