A report by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigerian, COREN, between January and July 2024, has indicated that at least twenty-two cases of building collapse have occurred in the country with Lagos State accounting for 27.27%, Abuja and Anambra having 18.18% each, Ekiti and Plateau having 9.09% each, while Kano, Taraba, and Niger states accounting for 4.55% each.
Accordingly, many of the documented cases of building collapse in Nigeria are due to the use of defective or substandard building materials, no requisite technical knowledge, non-adherence to building codes and standards, the use of non-professionals, and the high level of corruption which has ravaged every sphere of the construction industry including government and private parastatals.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to minimize the cases of building collapses in the country.
Alhaji Kashim Shetima, Nigeria’s Vice President, made this commitment during the opening of the 32nd Engineering Assembly, which was organized by COREN in Abuja.
He urged COREN to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to develop a comprehensive template and checklist for thorough measures aimed at addressing this pressing issue.
Alhaji Kashim Shetima also called on all Nigerian engineers to reflect critically on the challenges facing the engineering profession and to take proactive steps to enhance the profession for national development.
Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, the COREN President explained that COREN, as the leading regulatory body for engineering practices, was committed to ensuring that engineers adhere to global best practices. He noted that Building collapse in Nigeria in the last few decades has been a growing concern for investors and the government alike.
Prof. Abubakar noted that, as part of its efforts to ensure standards in practice, COREN has decentralized its operations to enable effective grassroots engagement and promote integrity in the profession for a more positive impact across the country.
Discussing the theme of the 32nd Engineering Assembly, “Regulating the Engineering Profession for Shared Prosperity,” keynote speaker and member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia, Prof. Megat Johari, urged engineers to be resilient and recognize their vital role in societal development through strict adherence to laws and ethical guidelines governing the engineering profession.
He said that developing a skilled engineering workforce under adequate regulation was crucial for advancing the energy sector and infrastructure toward technological progress and prosperity.
