COREN's Engr Bashir Lawal Calls for Building Audits

Buildings in Nigeria are collapsing despite repeated warnings and regulatory guidelines, according to Engr Bashir Lawal, chairman of the Technical Committee of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Kwara State. He attributed these incidents to inadequate structural integrity auditing, particularly of older buildings, and urged authorities to conduct regular audits to prevent tragedies like the recent collapse in Ilorin that killed five family members.

In 2024, a school building collapse in Plateau State resulted in 24 deaths and over 100 injuries. Bldr (Prof) Yohana Izam, former president of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), noted that poor regulation and the use of substandard materials contribute to these collapses.

Prof Samson Duna, director-general of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), called for collaboration among stakeholders and stricter enforcement of building codes. Following the Saints Academy collapse, Plateau State Governor Barr Caleb Mutfwang signed Executive Order 003 to regulate urban development and improve building safety.