Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors identifies systemic failures and professional negligence as primary drivers of building collapse in Nigeria

The recurring phenomenon of building collapses across Nigeria has reached a critical juncture, prompting the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) to issue a stern call for a holistic overhaul of the construction industry’s operational standards. During a high-level seminar and the investiture ceremony of Ololade Sokoya as the ninth Chairperson of the Women’s Association of Quantity Surveyors in Nigeria (WAQSN) held in Lagos, the National President of NIQS, Aminu Bashir, articulated a comprehensive diagnostic of the systemic failures plaguing the nation’s built environment.

Bashir’s remarks underscore a growing consensus among built-environment professionals that structural failures are rarely the result of a single oversight. Instead, they are symptomatic of a multi-dimensional crisis involving design deficiencies, unethical implementation, and a pervasive culture of professional negligence.

Anatomy of Structural Failure: A Multidimensional Crisis

The narrative that building collapses are inevitable acts of nature or isolated accidents is increasingly rejected by industry experts. According to the NIQS, the structural integrity of a building is a product of a chain of accountability that spans from the initial architectural design to the final stage of physical construction.

"The reality of the matter is that building collapse has multiple dimensions of responsibility," Bashir noted during his keynote address. He highlighted that a project can be fundamentally compromised at several stages. Even when a design is technically sound and meets international safety standards, the integrity of the structure can be eroded during the implementation phase if contractors engage in the practice of "cutting corners." This involves the use of substandard materials, the reduction of structural specifications, or the employment of unskilled labor to maximize profit margins.

Furthermore, the lack of professional oversight is a recurring theme. The NIQS president pointed out that many projects proceed without the involvement of qualified structural engineers, architects, or quantity surveyors. In many instances, developers bypass the design phase entirely or rely on rudimentary drawings that lack the necessary calculations for load-bearing and environmental resilience.

The Regulatory Gap and Institutional Oversight

A critical component of the NIQS argument is the failure of regulatory oversight. The construction process in Nigeria is governed by various state-level building codes and agencies, such as the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA). However, effective enforcement remains a challenge.

Bashir emphasized that the role of regulators is not merely to issue permits but to provide continuous, rigorous observation throughout the project lifecycle. When regulators fail to conduct mandatory inspections before authorizing a contractor to proceed from one stage of construction to another, they effectively leave the structural integrity of the building to the discretion of potentially profit-driven stakeholders.

This regulatory vacuum is often exacerbated by a lack of capacity, corruption, or the sheer volume of construction activities that outpaces the staffing levels of inspection agencies. The NIQS suggests that until the regulatory framework shifts from a reactive posture—investigating after a collapse—to a proactive, integrated monitoring system, the risks to life and property will remain high.

Historical Context and Chronology of the Crisis

Building collapses in Nigeria have a long and troubling history, particularly in densely populated urban centers like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) and other research bodies indicate that hundreds of buildings have collapsed over the past two decades.

• 2014: The collapse of a guesthouse belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, which resulted in 116 fatalities, served as a stark reminder of the consequences of structural negligence.
• 2019: The collapse of a school building in the Ita-Faji area of Lagos Island highlighted the danger of renovating residential buildings into high-density commercial or educational facilities without structural reinforcement.
• 2021: The high-profile collapse of a luxury residential tower in Ikoyi, Lagos, shook the nation, sparking national debates about the role of developers, the lack of site supervision, and the compromise of building materials.
• 2023–2024: Multiple instances of partial and total collapses have continued to occur in various states, often involving uncompleted buildings or structures constructed in violation of zoning laws.

The chronology of these events reveals a pattern: many of these failures were preventable. The common denominators identified by investigative panels following these incidents include the use of low-quality cement and steel, lack of soil testing, and the absence of professional supervision by chartered professionals.

The Role of Cost Management and Professional Ethics

The NIQS maintains that the integration of a professional quantity surveyor is essential to mitigating these risks. Quantity surveyors are uniquely positioned to oversee the procurement of materials, manage construction costs, and ensure that the quality of inputs matches the project’s financial allocation.

"Bad advice can also cause it," Bashir remarked, noting that many developers fall prey to consultants who promise the lowest possible costs without factoring in safety. By cutting corners on materials and labor, these developers compromise the long-term viability of the building. The NIQS advocates for a model where cost management is treated as an instrument of safety rather than just a financial metric. When a professional quantity surveyor is involved, the budget is transparent, and the quality of materials is audited against market standards, reducing the incentive for contractors to use sub-standard alternatives.

Implications for the Renewed Hope Agenda

In a strategic move to align the profession with national development goals, the NIQS is seeking a formal audience with President Bola Tinubu. The Institute believes that the success of the President’s "Renewed Hope Agenda"—which prioritizes massive infrastructure development—is inextricably linked to the involvement of professional cost-construction managers.

Bashir expressed optimism that the government’s ambitious infrastructure projects, ranging from road networks to mass housing, can be delivered more efficiently and safely if the expertise of quantity surveyors is fully utilized. "Mr. President will be the happiest of all, because there are so many beautiful infrastructure projects that the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to achieve, and that can best be done when you involve a professional cost-construction manager," he stated.

The implication here is that the government, as the largest client in the construction industry, must set the standard. By mandating the involvement of certified professionals in all public-private partnerships and government-funded construction, the administration could effectively set a new baseline for safety that the private sector would be compelled to follow.

Analysis: A Call for Collective Responsibility

The challenge of building collapse in Nigeria is not a problem that can be solved by a single professional body or a single piece of legislation. It requires a fundamental shift in the culture of the Nigerian construction industry.

1. Professional Synergy: Architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors must operate in an integrated environment where cross-checking is encouraged, and professional integrity is prioritized over project speed.
2. Public Awareness: Property owners and prospective tenants must be educated on the necessity of requesting structural integrity reports and verifying the professional certifications of those involved in their projects.
3. Strict Enforcement: Regulatory agencies must be empowered with the resources and the political will to halt construction sites that do not meet safety protocols, regardless of the status of the project owners.
4. Standardization: The industry must move toward a more digitized and transparent system of project monitoring, where every stage of construction is logged, inspected, and verified by an independent third party.

The investiture of Ololade Sokoya as the new Chairperson of the WAQSN provides an opportunity to emphasize the importance of leadership within the profession. As the first female to hold this specific position in such a pivotal time, her tenure is expected to focus on capacity building, ethical advocacy, and strengthening the role of women in ensuring that construction standards are strictly upheld.

Ultimately, the NIQS’s stance is a reminder that the cost of building collapse—in human lives, lost capital, and wasted resources—is far higher than the cost of implementing proper professional standards. As Nigeria looks toward a future of expanded infrastructure, the integration of professional cost management and rigorous structural oversight must transition from a recommended practice to a non-negotiable requirement. The goal is clear: to ensure that the physical landscape of the nation is built on a foundation of safety, durability, and professional accountability.