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The Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Professor Okorie Uche, has strongly called for the strict enforcement of building codes and regulatory compliance as a critical measure to prevent the frequent and tragic occurrences of building collapses across Nigeria.
Emphasizing the urgent need for reform, Prof. Uche highlighted that a significant majority—approximately 80 percent—of building failures in the country stem from constructions undertaken by private developers.
He attributed this high rate of structural failures partly to corrupt practices, including kickbacks received by awarding authorities, which often lead to the use of substandard and unsafe construction materials.
Professor Uche expressed concern over the absence of many private developers from professional gatherings and discussions aimed at addressing the problem of building collapses and infrastructure maintenance.
“Those who are doing this development, that’s where the problem lies. Eighty percent of failures come from private developers. However, the people responsible for these developments, based on statistical evidence, largely do not attend our forums,” he lamented.
He further stressed that these meetings, which are platforms for sharing vital knowledge and strategies to combat structural failures, lose their effectiveness when key stakeholders do not participate.
“If they are not present to hear what we have to say, it means we are just talking to ourselves,” he added, underscoring the need for inclusive engagement in tackling the crisis.
These remarks were made during his keynote address at the 5th Engr. U. G. Jibrin Annual Public Lecture held in Abuja on Saturday. The lecture was themed “Effective Engineering Administration as a Panacea for Building and Infrastructure Collapse,” reflecting the critical role of competent engineering management and oversight in safeguarding the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure nationwide.
Drawing from data featured in the Building Collapse Prevention Guide, 2023, Prof. Uche cited that Nigeria recorded over 200 incidents of building collapses between 2010 and 2023.
This alarming statistic underscores the scale of the problem and the urgent need for all stakeholders—including private developers, regulatory authorities, and engineering professionals—to collaborate in enforcing building regulations and ensuring that construction standards are strictly adhered to for the safety of the public.