Thursday, June 18, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Steps we took to reduce building collapse in Nigeria — CORBON

Lifecamp building collapse

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has highlighted some measures it took in recent times to reduce the frequent cases of building collapse in Nigeria.

The Council stated that it adopted three measures, namely, faith, innovation and sustainability, in addition to several other result-proven measures to tackle the issues of building collapse.

This was contained in the 6th convocation lecture on the theme “faith, innovation and sustainability: building a resilient future for Nigeria” delivered by the Chairman of CORBON, Dr. Samson Ameh Opaluwah, at Bingham University, Karu, Abuja, on Friday.

He said: “Nigeria’s construction industry faces complex challenges, including rapid urbanization, climate change, frequent building collapses and a skills gap at all levels.

“CORBON, as the statutory regulatory body for professional builders, responded with a renewed focus on ethical leadership (Faith), technological advancement (Innovation), and environmental stewardship (Sustainability).

“CORBON’s recent activities demonstrate a holistic approach to nation-building, anchored in faith, driven by innovation, and committed to sustainability. As Nigeria navigate the challenges of the 21st century, CORBON’s leadership in shaping a resilient built environment and remains indispensable, and by God’s grace will accomplish its mission to our country.”

He stated that CORBON’s commitment to faith was reflected in its emphasis on professional ethics, transparency, and public trust. “We have strengthened our code of conduct for registered builders, reinforce accountability and moral responsibility; promoted ethical leadership through workshops and seminars; pushed for inclusive development, ensure that construction practices align with community values and social equity; enhanced both local and international collaborations in training, practice & research.

On innovation, “We embraced technology and global collaboration as a cornerstone of strategy to modernize Nigeria’s building sector. We initiated partnership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). We signed an MoU with the CIOB to enhance professional standards and promote sustainable construction practices through global knowledge exchange.

“We recently launched platforms like the Builder’s Management Portal (BuMaP) and iReg for streamlined registration, verification, and compliance monitoring; introduced training programmes in sustainable concrete practices and modern construction techniques, targeting both new entrants and mid-career professionals, among others.

“Sustainability has also been central to CORBON’s agenda, with initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting resilience. This include green building advocacy, skills development, policy engagement, among others.”

Dr. Opaluwah congratulated the graduating students, and gave them some advices that would be useful in their life journey. “Build structures, quality relationships, cooperation, love and forgive freely. And most importantly, be a good ambassador of the University,” he advised.

He thanked and congratulated their parents and guardians for the support and sacrifice that have made the graduation a reality.

“Today signifies a remarkable milestone in your academic journey, and I am thrilled to celebrate this achievement with you. Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have truly paid off, and I am confident that you are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in your chosen fields.”

The Vice Chancellor, Bingham University, Karu, Abuja, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the convocation lecturer for graciously accepting the invitation to deliver the 6th convocation lecture.

“Your Christian testimony, distinguished career, insights, and meritorious service in the public and private sectors have continued to inspire many. Your willingness to share your knowledge and experiences with our graduates is also a testament to your commitment to education and the cultivation of future leaders.

“I believe your convocation lecture today will encourage the graduands and all of us to understand that to propel Nigeria towards a resilient future, we need three pillars-faith, which should guide our aspirations; innovation, which should fuel our progress; and sustainability, which is what is required to secure the future.

“Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to parents, guardians, family members, and everyone who has supported these graduands along the way. The Lord will reward your labour of love,” he prayed.