Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday called for a unified, adaptable, and accessible building code to curb the menace of building collapses across Nigeria, stressing that safety in the built environment must become a collective responsibility.
The Governor made the call at a one-day sensitisation programme on Incessant Building Collapse in Nigeria and the launch of the Lagos Certified Structural Integrity Programme (CSIP), organised by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with the Lagos State Government at Tafawa Balewa Square.
Sanwo-Olu commended the Federal Ministry for its foresight and commitment, noting that Lagos had recorded a sharp reduction In building collapse incidents in the last year due to proactive measures such as stricter enforcement of building codes, public awareness campaigns, and technology-driven monitoring.
“We must work together — not only as builders but as professionals in the built environment — to ensure ethical integrity and avoid negligence so that every building in Lagos is safe and liveable,” the Governor said.
The Governor pledged to continue strengthening compliance and integrating innovative strategies to make Lagos a model for urban safety and sustainability.
In his keynote address, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, said the Tinubu administration is committed to making safety and structural integrity non-negotiable principles in Nigeria’s construction sector.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Architect Gbolahan Oki, described the event as part of a larger stakeholder engagement to reposition the built environment as a benchmark for excellence nationwide. He highlighted the recent launch of the Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP), which deploys accredited professionals to work with regulators from a project’s foundation stage to completion — drastically reducing risks that could lead to collapse.
Oki also noted that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has intensified enforcement, identified and marked illegal structures, monitored construction activities for compliance, and increased sensitisation campaigns through physical and digital platforms. The agency has strengthened collaboration with the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Lagos State Safety Commission, and the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory to ensure quality control in construction materials.
He urged stakeholders — from architects and engineers to developers and landlords — to adopt a culture of safety and compliance. He also advised tenants to thoroughly verify a developer’s compliance history before renting apartments.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, added that the government is reintroducing regular inspections of construction sites to verify the use of approved materials.
The workshop attracted lawmakers, members of the Lagos State Executive Council, professional bodies, artisans, developers, building materials dealers, and representatives from across the built industry, reaffirming that ending building collapses requires shared responsibility between government, industry professionals, and the public.