Shocking: Nigeria suffers 500 drvastating building collapses in 14 years, says NIA

THE NATION 
The Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) has described building collapse as a recurring nightmare ridiculing the country internationally.

The Institute revealed that over 500 cases have been recorded in the country which highlights the need for stricter building regulations and enforcement to prevent the menace.

At the 2024 Architects symposium held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital on Friday with the theme “Architecture and building collapse: the practice, reality and remedy”, President of the NIA, Arc Adeniyi Mobolaji, called on members of the body to be alive to their responsibility in a building project to prevent the cases.

“Incidents of building collapse in Nigeria highlight the need for stricter building regulations and enforcement to prevent it.

“Building collapse is a recurring nightmare in Nigeria, in fact, it’s becoming very embarrassing, we are almost becoming ridiculed internationally when like every other week, the building is collapsing.

“Recently, a building collapsed in Lagos. In fact, Lagos is becoming the epicentre for building collapses in Nigeria and it is so unfortunate. As Architects, we must confront this reality and take collective responsibility to ensure safety and sustainability.

“We must never forget our position in building projects. The Architect is the lead construction. Therefore he has an oversight over all the professionals. The statistics are alarming and this is the reality we must face. Over 500 building collapses in Nigeria since 2010 has been recorded and over 100 lives lost”, she stated.