Building collapse: Sanwo-Olu, minister advocate strict compliance with codes

By Lukman Olabiyi

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, have emphasized the need for strict adherence to building codes as a crucial step in curbing the recurring issue of building collapse across the country.

The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Lagos, organised by the Lagos State Government through the Office of Urban Development and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

The event was themed “Incessant Building Collapse in Nigeria: The Need for Strict Adherence to Building Codes and Regulations.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the urgent need for collective responsibility among professionals in the construction sector, stressing that ethical standards must be upheld and negligence avoided to ensure all buildings in the state are safe and habitable.

“We cannot continue to tolerate preventable building collapses. A unified building code that can be applied across the country will save lives and protect investments. This is not just the responsibility of government; it is a shared duty among all stakeholders in the construction industry. Every builder, every professional must be accountable,”Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor noted that incidents of building collapse in Lagos had significantly declined over the past year, attributing the improvement to proactive strategies such as public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of building regulations.

“Our commitment is clear—to ensure Lagos is safe for residents and investors. We will continue to review our enforcement mechanisms and strengthen public engagement so that everyone understands the importance of compliance,”he added.

Representing the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Permanent Secretary Mr. Shuaib Belgore reiterated the ministry’s commitment to ensuring safety and sustainability in the built environment.

“This engagement reinforces our collective determination to address the root causes of building collapse and safeguard the lives of our citizens,” Belgore said on behalf of Minister Dangiwa.

Also speaking, Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) and Urban Development, said the state had reintroduced mandatory construction site inspections to ensure the use of appropriate materials and adherence to approved designs.

“This is one of the key measures to prevent future collapses,” Babatunde noted.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development,  Gbolahan Oki, highlighted the launch of the Certified Accreditors Programme as further proof of the administration’s dedication to maintaining high standards in building control and physical planning.

“The current administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a safe and sustainable Lagos,” Oki said.