Nigeria Records 135 Building Collapse Incidents, Between 2022 and 2024

Nigeria recorded 135 building collapse incidents resulting in at least 26 deaths between 2022 and 2024, according to a report by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG). The most recent incident occurred in Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

BCPG is a professional organization in Nigeria dedicated to preventing building collapses and promoting safe and sustainable building practices nationwide. It comprises experts in building construction, architecture, engineering, and related professions.

The troubling trend of building collapses has raised significant concerns about the safety and integrity of structures across the country. BCPG notes that the first recorded building collapse in Nigeria occurred in October 1974 in Oyo State, resulting in 27 deaths. Notably, the tallest building collapse in Lagos on November 1, 2021, claimed 52 lives.

In 2022, Nigeria recorded 62 building collapse cases, with Lagos accounting for 20 incidents. The following year, 2023, saw 52 collapses, with Lagos again leading with 17 incidents. As of 2024, there have been 17 recorded building collapses, with Lagos having five, Anambra three, and Kano, Niger, and Plateau each having one.

Investigations by BCPG revealed that professional ineptitude, including excessive loading, use of substandard materials, faulty design, poor workmanship, and weak foundations, significantly contributed to these collapses. The frequent occurrence of building collapses has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of building codes and regulations to prevent such incidents and protect lives.

Dr. Samson Opaluwah, Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, has called for sanctions on developers responsible for the recent collapses in Abuja, following three collapses in three days. Dr. Opaluwah criticized government negligence in enforcing laws and regulations, demanding thorough investigations and punishment for those found culpable.

“This collapse, unfortunately, has continued to happen, especially in urban centers where professionals and professionalism should be upheld to the highest standards. In all the published reports and investigations done by the FCT, we have not seen any advertised punishment for those found wanting,” Dr. Opaluwah stated.

He insisted that accountability is essential, stating, “Every building that collapses has a reason why it collapsed. If the reason is human error, that error has to be addressed. If it was due to negligence, poor conduct, or misbehavior, then there should be punishments and sanctions. And that is what we stand for as a council. We stand for punishing culpable individuals.”