By Maduka Nweke
The recent collapse of a two-storey building under construction on Ishaga road, opposite the Idi Araba Central Mosque in Mushin, Lagos, has once again left many Lagosians shaken and searching for answers.
Despite repeated promises from the Lagos state government about efforts to prevent such tragedies, the relentless recurrence of building collapses continues to disturb the city’s residents and challenge authorities.
At the heart of the crisis is a complex web of factors, from construction shortcuts to regulatory lapses, that feed the cycle of disaster. Mr. Peter Andrew, a property developer based in Amuwo Odofin, voices a growing frustration among industry insiders.
According to him, some construction engineers deliberately sidestep engineering standards and economize on building materials to save costs or “take home” extras. “Most engineers do away with the formula developed for the building and manufacture what can favour them,” he explains. “This, most times, causes building collapse.”
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, highlights the preventability of many such incidents. She confirmed the latest collapse in Mushin, describing how emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after receiving a distress call at around 4:30 pm. Firefighters from Isolo, officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, ambulance services, and the Nigeria Police converged swiftly to conduct rescue operations.
“The report was of a two-storey building under construction that collapsed with many people trapped beneath the rubble,” Adeseye said. At the time of reporting, two people had been rescued and rushed to the nearest hospital.
The gravity of the tragedy became clearer as more victims were uncovered from the debris. Ibrahim Farinloye, Coordinator for the South West region of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), confirmed the collapse occurred around 3:50 pm on that Sunday. “Rescue operations are ongoing,” he said, “and two people have been moved to hospital.” Tragically, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency later reported that seven bodies were recovered and thirteen others injured.
This particular collapse carries an added sting: it was entirely preventable. The community recalls a similar collapse at the same location some twelve years prior, with official recommendations made to forestall a recurrence. The failure to act on those recommendations has left wounds on the collective conscience of Lagosians.
The timing of this catastrophe—nestled between Good Friday and Easter Sunday—only deepened the city’s sorrow. How could such a devastating event unfold during a period traditionally reserved for peace and reflection? It was a cruel irony that weighed heavily on residents’ hearts.
Lagos has witnessed many such tragedies in recent years. Not far from Mushin, a four-storey building at No. 15 Bashiru Street, Ojodu, also collapsed during construction, claiming one life. The building, originally a bungalow, had been acquired by Four Square Gospel Church and was being expanded to accommodate growing needs. Yet, as residents lament, they are growing weary of counting the dead and injured from these avoidable disasters.
In the aftermath of the Ojodu collapse, then Commissioner of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, met with members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Ojodu Cell. The meeting aimed to investigate the causes and seek solutions, with members of the public urging the Commissioner to take decisive action to stop further loss of lives and property.
The Ojodu building was already hosting church services on the completed floors while construction continued upward, a practice that raises serious safety concerns. The collapse occurred as work resumed on the fourth storey, underscoring the dangers of premature occupation and substandard construction practices.
As Lagos continues to grow rapidly, with population and urban pressures mounting, the issue of building safety has never been more urgent. The echoes of these collapses reverberate through communities, demanding accountability, stricter enforcement, and a renewed commitment to safety.
For Lagosians, each collapse is more than a headline, it’s a human tragedy that calls for urgent action to break the cycle of preventable disasters and secure safer homes for all.