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In an effort to combat building collapses in Nigeria, leaders in the construction industry are emphasizing the importance of promoting sustainable practices to address long-standing challenges in the sector.

This call for action, coming from architects, builders, civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, and manufacturers, was echoed at the BusinessDay Sustainable Building Conference titled ‘Addressing the Challenges of Building Collapse.’

These experts, united in their message, stressed the urgent need for sustainable solutions to tackle the issue of building collapses, which have led to numerous tragedies, financial losses, and environmental harm over the years.

During her keynote speech, Igazeuma Okoroba, the group head of sustainability at Dangote Group, emphasized the critical role of sustainable practices in addressing this challenge. She reaffirmed Dangote Cement’s commitment to environmental responsibility and its role in driving positive change.

Okoroba highlighted various factors contributing to building collapses in Nigeria, including subpar design, the involvement of non-professionals, the use of substandard materials, corruption among regulatory officials, and inadequate soil testing. She pointed out alarming statistics, including 461 building collapses reported between 1974 and July 2021, resulting in losses exceeding N10 trillion over the last three decades, as well as the tragic loss of 1,090 lives and numerous injuries. Lagos State alone witnessed 271 collapses from 2012 to 2023, resulting in 531 fatalities and extensive environmental damage.

The conference underlined the significance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which emphasises the provision of affordable, safe, resilient, and inclusive housing and infrastructure.

Panel 2: Best practices for building design and construction in the age of climate change

Panel 3: Financial and legal implications of building collapse

In line with this, the professionals underscored the role of strict adherence to building standards, affordable and sustainable materials, and the amalgamation of technical expertise with visionary leadership in reshaping the construction landscape in Africa.

Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, general manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, spoke about the pivotal role that professionals in the construction sector play in ensuring the safety and stability of structures.

He emphasized the critical need for collaboration among stakeholders and a shared commitment to addressing this issue. “To tackle this problem, we need the collective effort of all stakeholders, including the government, professionals, artisans, and every member of society,” Oki stated.

Odunayo Ojo, the managing director of UACN Property Development Company, highlighted the financial and reputational repercussions that building collapses have on companies. He called for a comprehensive approach to sustainability, which should include considerations for energy efficiency and operational aspects right from the project’s inception.

Ojo stated, “To achieve genuine sustainability in a building, we must also focus on its operational aspects. Energy efficiency and easy maintenance are crucial elements of sustainable designs.”

Kunle Awobodu, former president of the Nigerian Institute of Building and pioneer president of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, pointed out the gap between theoretical education and practical experience. He stressed the importance of aligning educational curricula with industry practices.

Grace Ofure, CEO of Lifecard Company, also underscored the need for financial support within the construction sector. She urged both government and private sector involvement in nurturing young talents and promoting sustainable living practices.