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As building collapses become alarmingly frequent across Nigeria, experts warn that quackery, poor regulatory enforcement, and substandard materials are turning housing into a deadly gamble, ANOZIE EGOLE reports Recent data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show that building collapse remains a major safety challenge in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State. Jide & Co Onasali, in its 2022 report, identified building collapse as a major obstacle to sustainable development in Nigeria, with severe consequences, noting that the country had lost properties valued at $3.2tn to building collapses over the past two decades. A January 2025 report by the BCPG, published by The PUNCH, revealed that 47 building collapse incidents occurred across 14 states in Nigeria in 2024, disclosing that building collapses rose to 640 from October 1974 to 9 January 2025. According to the report, “In 2024, there were 47 recorded building collapses across 14 states. Lagos continued to lead with 13 incidents, followed by Abuja with six, Anambra with five, and Kano and Rivers with four each. Other states like Jigawa and Plateau recorded three collapses each, while Osun and Delta saw two each. Additionally, Niger, Abia, Edo, Oyo, and Ebonyi each had one recorded collapse. Lagos State accounts for 55.15 per cent of the recorded incidents, significantly higher than other regions. Abuja follows as the second-highest contributor with 4.37 per cent, while Anambra ranks third with 4.06 per cent. Oyo and Kano occupy the fourth and fifth positions with 3.44 per cent and 3.28 per cent of the recorded incidents, respectively.” The report added that Taraba, Bayelsa, Gombe, and Yobe states had their first recorded building collapse in 2022. Other states such as Zamfara, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Gombe, Katsina, and Kebbi have had only one recorded building collapse since their inclusion in the data. According to the BCPG, the first recorded building collapse in Nigeria occurred in October 1971 in Oyo State, where a multi-storey building collapsed due to excessive loading, killing 27 people. These figures from the BCPG and recent research are among the most widely cited statistics by Nigerian media and researchers. Despite repeated promises of reforms, building collapses continue to rise across the country. In March, The PUNCH reported that what used to be a four-storey building bustling with pupils, teachers, workers and tenants at Adu Street, behind County Hospital in the Adidas area of Ogba, Lagos, had been reduced to rubble. The building had reportedly collapsed around 11 a.m., leaving behind millions of naira worth of damaged property. According to the report, one of the workers at the collapse site said, “I was just working when it happened. It was like a film because it caught us by surprise. But everybody was able to leave the building before it happened.” Recently, another tragic building collapse occurred in Anambra State, involving a student hostel, with some victims reportedly trapped beneath the rubble. The incident has added to the litany of several building collapses that have occurred in the country, especially in Lagos State, the country’s commercial hub. On Monday, 27 July 2026, at about 9:44 a.m., The PUNCH reported the collapse of a three-storey student hostel, known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The building, which had about 60 rooms, caved in, throwing residents and passers-by into panic, as an unknown number of occupants, mostly students, were trapped beneath the rubble for hours before emergency responders arrived. Although the exact number of casualties was not immediately established, eyewitnesses said the building collapsed while students were inside. One of the eyewitnesses, who identified herself simply as Ifeoma, said, “We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the scene to see what had happened. “And within moments after the loud noise from the building, the occupants inside started shouting for help as the building fell.” Our correspondent gathered that officials of the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency and other emergency responders conducted rescue operations at the scene. The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday and urged residents to remain calm while rescue efforts continued. Ikenga said, “The Anambra State Police-led Joint Security Team assured the public that rescue operations were ongoing following the late-night incident in Amokpala. “The incident resulted in some occupants being trapped beneath the rubble. On receipt of the distress report, the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger, and coordinated rescue efforts. The Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency also responded promptly and joined in the rescue operation.” Also, The PUNCH reported that the National Emergency Management Agency suspended search-and-rescue operations at the site after clearing at least 50 per cent of the debris. This was disclosed by NEMA in an update shared on its official X handle, saying rescue efforts would resume the following day, disclosing that all rescue equipment had been safely shut down following intensive operations by emergency responders. It stated, “The search-and-rescue operation at the site of the collapsed three-storey building in Amaokpala has been suspended for the day following intensive rescue efforts by all responding agencies. All rescue equipment has been safely shut down, and operations will resume tomorrow to continue the search for any victims who may still be trapped beneath the remaining debris. At least 50 per cent of the debris was successfully cleared during the operation, representing significant progress in the ongoing emergency response.” NEMA’s Head of Operations, Priscilla Madukwe, while briefing stakeholders at the scene, commended all responding agencies for their commitment and professionalism throughout the operation. She urged all stakeholders to remain available and maintain the same level of cooperation as rescue activities resumed the following day. “The coordinated multi-agency response will continue until the search-and-rescue mission is successfully concluded,” she said. Also, on Wednesday, July 29, residents of Ajuwon in Ogun State were thrown into mourning after a mixed-use building collapsed during a downpour two days earlier, killing three people and 12 others rescued, as the Ogun State Government ordered a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy. PUNCH Metro gathered that the collapsed structure, which housed two shops on the ground floor and residential apartments above, was located at the OGS Bus Stop, Baale Road, Ajuwon, a border community between Ogun and Lagos states. When our correspondent visited the scene, police officers and emergency responders were still conducting search-and-rescue operations amid fears that more occupants could be trapped beneath the rubble. Although the exact number of people in the building when it collapsed around 3 p.m. that fateful day could not be immediately confirmed, three bodies of an adult woman, a baby, and a 75-year-old man, had been recovered from the debris as of Tuesday morning. The incident highlights a troubling trend of structural failures that experts believe could largely be prevented. Experts speak Building sector experts have attributed the persistent cases of building collapse to weak regulatory enforcement and the involvement of unqualified individuals in the construction industry. According to the Honorary Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors & Valuers, Lagos State Branch, Mr Tokunbo Akinhanmi, aside from the fact the accidents are largely caused by poor regulatory enforcement and the engagement of quacks, another major cause is the use of substandard materials. “The persistent cases of building collapse in Nigeria are largely attributable to poor regulatory enforcement, engagement of unqualified practitioners, use of substandard materials, structural defects, inadequate soil investigations, and the failure of some developers to comply with approved building specifications,” Akinhanmi stated. According to him, to address this challenge, the government must strengthen monitoring and enforcement of building regulations, “while developers and property owners should engage only registered and qualified built environment professionals throughout the project lifecycle.” “There should be periodic structural integrity assessments of existing buildings, particularly ageing structures, alongside sustained public awareness of the dangers of cutting corners in construction. At NIESV, we are not just involved in property and facilities management but also play critical roles throughout the development process, from land acquisition, feasibility and viability appraisal, to development advisory, project conception, project management, valuation, and asset management. Our professional input helps to ensure that developments are economically viable, legally compliant, and sustainable,” he said. He nevertheless advised that with strict adherence to professional standards, regulatory compliance, and proper maintenance, “we can significantly reduce these tragic incidents and safeguard lives and investments.” The Pioneer National President of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Kunle Awobodu, opined that property owners undermining the complexity of building projects is another major cause of building collapse. Awobodu, who is also a member of the Ministerial Task Team on Building Collapse, stressed that any building that is going above the level of a bungalow needs professional input. “The first determinant here is the owner of the property, who tends to underestimate the complexity of building projects. Any building going above the level of a bungalow needs professional input. Building is a long-term investment that should not be subjected to jeopardy before, during and after construction,” he warned. He argued that, considering the huge funds required for the construction of a building, the provider of the funds should consider its protection, stressing that in an organised society, the tendency for some human beings to want to deviate from normal practice necessitates the establishment of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to ensure buildings are properly designed, situated and constructed. Awobodu, who is also the past National President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, advised that, moving forward, there should be more enlightenment campaigns for prospective building owners to ensure they abide by the extant laws. He harped on the need to control political influence on individuals, saying, “There should be more enlightenment campaigns for prospective building owners to abide by the extant building regulations. Assessment fees should be made affordable and the building approval process itself should be simplified and digitalised so as to avoid delays that are bad for project cost control and delivery timelines. Moreover, building control agencies should intensify monitoring activities to eradicate quackery from building sites. Political influence on government officials should be controlled in order to achieve desired results.” A civil engineer and the Managing Director of Omelis Empire Limited, Okey Emelibe, said, “When it comes to building collapse, the major cause has always been wrong foundation. Some people use strip foundation where they are supposed to have raft, and some also use thrift instead of pad foundation. Because there are strip, pad and raft, these are the three different foundations we have. Another major issue is that the type of foundation you use for a two-storey building is different from the foundation for a three-storey building, and also different from a bungalow, they always have their in-depth requirements. Another one that affects the foundation is when you use inferior materials or wrong materials, poor supervision by engineers, and employing wrong workers also causes that.” Emelibe advised the government to set up regulatory agencies to enforce the use of adequate materials and professionals in the field. “The government should as well reduce the charges paid to get approvals and focus on using professionals for the jobs, as we see in the developed world,” Emelibe advised. A Lagos resident, Harrison Chinaka, said that due to the constant cases of building collapse, especially in Lagos, renting an apartment now comes with lots of fear. “As someone with a family, the thought of renting an apartment in Lagos now comes with a level of fear unlike before. While searching for accommodation now, I can’t help but wonder whether the building is truly safe. My biggest concern is not just finding a comfortable place to live but knowing that my loved ones can sleep peacefully without the fear of a structural failure. Because of the recurring cases of building collapse, I have become more cautious. Everyone’s life is very precious and should be protected,” Chinaka said. He continued, “I now deliberately focus on relatively newer buildings, I carefully inspect the walls and foundations for cracks, assess whether the surrounding area is prone to flooding, and pay attention to details that could indicate poor construction.” Chinaka emphasised that the government has a critical role to play in restoring public confidence regarding building constructions and ownership, especially in Lagos State. “Building regulations must be enforced without compromise. There should be regular structural inspections and strict oversight of construction projects. Only qualified professionals should be allowed to design and supervise buildings, while developers who cut corners or use substandard materials should face severe sanctions,” Chinaka stressed, adding that the government should publish records of certified safe buildings and continually educate the public on warning signs of structural defects. “When people know that safety standards are being upheld and offenders are held accountable, families will be able to choose a home with confidence rather than fear,” Chinaka added. Another Lagos State resident, Timothy Chijiekwu, says he now goes for bungalows instead of storey buildings, believing that bungalows have a lower possibility of collapsing. “When renting my next apartment, I will be going for bungalows instead of storey buildings because bungalows are mostly not prone to collapse. It’s indeed not easy, if you’re looking for a new apartment, you will be scared because you don’t know the state of the building. This to some extent has led to an increase in the annual rent for newer structures,” he said.