Lagos Emerges State with Highest Cases of Building Collapse in Nigeria

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Out of the 64 incidents of building collapse that took place throughout the country from 2007 till date, Lagos State has the highest number.

In the total of 178 casualties and 226 injuries recorded in as many as 33 cases of building collapse, Lagos State took the front row.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) closely followed with a total of 131 deaths, and 26 injured.

Associate Professor, Philip Lawal, from Joseph Ayo Babalola University, disclosed these recently in Abuja at an event where Real Estate Auction Network announced auctioning of properties, including commercial and residential houses, and plots of land located in Abuja.

According to him, “In recent times, the phenomenon of building collapse in Nigeria has been a source of concern to so many stakeholders particularly those associated with the building industry.”

He noted that when the incidence of building failure or collapse becomes incessant, stakeholders’ expectations about the future behaviour of the building industry becomes doubtful.

Lawal argued that the industry today has an identity of corrupt practices given that over 50 percent of building failure and collapse are attributable to industry’s professionals’ poor supervisory roles and non-adherence to standards.

The Chairman, Auction Network, Mr. Felix Osuji, said the opening bids which would start next month in the region of N5 million would be an opportunity to own properties in the FCT.

Further details later