Dr Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, Special Adviser on E-GIS and Urban Development to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged stakeholders in the building industry to comply strictly with established laws and regulations to prevent recurring building collapses across Nigeria.
Babatunde said disregard for construction regulations, inadequate monitoring and the abandonment of established professional practices had contributed to the persistent incidents of building failures, which continue to threaten lives and property.
He made the remarks during a press briefing organised in honour of the late Chief James Oladosu Babatunde, a veteran town planner. He stressed the need for construction professionals, developers and relevant authorities to take greater responsibility for ensuring that buildings are properly planned, supervised and constructed.
According to the governor’s aide, practices that previously helped maintain construction standards were no longer being observed consistently. He expressed concern about the decline in monitoring and supervision at construction sites, warning that the absence of adequate oversight could allow unsafe building practices to go undetected.
Babatunde emphasised that compliance with building regulations should not be treated as a mere administrative requirement. Instead, he said, all stakeholders must recognise the importance of following approved procedures throughout the construction process, from planning and foundation work to the completion of a building.
He also highlighted the importance of regular inspections and effective monitoring to ensure that construction projects meet the required standards. Qualified professionals, he maintained, must carry out their responsibilities diligently, while regulatory authorities should strengthen oversight and enforce existing laws.
Building collapses have remained a major concern in Nigeria, with incidents often raising questions about structural integrity, the use of substandard materials, inadequate professional supervision and weak enforcement of building regulations.
In Lagos, stakeholders in the built environment have repeatedly called for stronger regulatory enforcement, more frequent inspections and greater accountability among developers and construction professionals. They have also stressed the need to identify distressed structures early and intervene before defects develop into life-threatening emergencies.
Experts have further advocated closer collaboration among architects, engineers, builders, town planners, surveyors, property developers and government agencies to ensure that construction projects meet established safety requirements.
They have also urged property owners to obtain the necessary approvals, engage qualified professionals and avoid unauthorised alterations that could compromise the stability of buildings.
Babatunde’s warning reinforces calls for improved compliance and accountability across the construction industry. Preventing building collapses, stakeholders maintain, requires consistent enforcement of regulations, competent professional supervision, appropriate construction materials and effective monitoring at every stage of development.
He urged industry participants to respect established laws and standards, stressing that a collective commitment to safe construction practices was essential to protecting lives and property.
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