Nigeria Faces Alarming Building Collapse Death Toll

At a Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, disclosed that Nigeria has recorded over 650 building collapses and more than 1,600 deaths since its inception 52 years ago. He emphasized the lack of licensed professionals and punitive measures in the building industry, indicating severe regulatory negligence and structural defects.

Darma proposed the establishment of a National Housing Industry Regulatory Commission and reforms to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to enhance access to the National Housing Fund. He noted that only fewer than 500 mortgages were booked despite six million Nigerians contributing between N120 and N150 billion yearly.

The housing deficit is estimated between 20 to 28 million units. Permanent Secretary Shuaib Belgore added that efforts are underway to create a reliable national housing data ecosystem to support policymaking and improve regulatory oversight in the construction industry.