Nigeria Faces Alarming Surge in Building Collapses: 22 Incidents, 33 Deaths in 7 Months, Says COREN

Nigeria has experienced a troubling rise in building collapses, with 22 incidents reported between January and July 2024, leading to 33 deaths, according to the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). This data was revealed by COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, during a news conference in Abuja.

At the event themed “The Incessant Spate of Building Collapse in Nigeria in Recent Times: A Call for Sustainable Collaboration by All Stakeholders,” Abubakar provided a detailed breakdown of the incidents. Lagos recorded the highest number of collapses at 27.27%, followed by Abuja and Anambra with 18.18% each. Ekiti and Plateau accounted for 9.09% each, while Kano, Taraba, and Niger states had 4.55% each.

“Lagos has seen over 91 building collapses since 2012, resulting in more than 354 deaths,” Abubakar stated. He also highlighted that Abuja has witnessed around 30 collapses since 1993, causing over 64 deaths. Recent tragic events include a collapse near DMGS Onitsha in Anambra State on June 12 and another at Saint Academy in Plateau on July 13, which resulted in 22 student deaths and 134 injuries.

Abubakar emphasized the need for reflection and collaboration among stakeholders to address these incidents. He attributed the collapses to factors such as the use of substandard construction materials, structural failures, illegal building modifications, and poor oversight.

Commending state governments for their investigative efforts, Abubakar urged for unified action among professionals in the built environment to find lasting solutions. He also highlighted the dangers posed by illegal mining activities and called for urgent action and enforcement of building regulations.

In response to the crisis, COREN has trained and licensed Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) inspectors and reconstituted its Council Committee on Engineering Regulation Monitoring. Additionally, a regional ERM&E Task Force has been established in cities like Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, FCT, Gombe, and Lagos to tackle the issue more effectively.