Sanwo-Olu calls for national building tribunal to tackle collapse crisis

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for the urgent establishment of a National Building Tribunal to fast-track the prosecution of offenders in cases of structural failure, warning that professional negligence in the built environment amounts to “a form of social violence.”

Speaking 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 on Wednesday in Lagos, the governor said the country must move from “reactive responses to proactive strategies” in tackling the recurring tragedy.

“The establishment of a National Building Tribunal will ensure swift justice, deter malpractice, and restore public confidence in our building sector,” Sanwo-Olu declared. He stressed that no one should endorse or supervise a project that fails safety standards, urging institutions to sanction erring members.

The governor’s proposal comes against alarming statistics from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), which recorded more than 180 incidents of building collapse in Nigeria between 2005 and 2022, with Lagos accounting for over 60 percent.

“The losses are not only economic,” he said. “Lives have been lost, dreams shattered, and communities traumatised.” He identified causes such as the use of substandard materials, engagement of unqualified professionals, non-adherence to approved plans, corruption in the permit process, poor supervision, and lack of maintenance culture.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, urged stakeholders to adopt a culture of safety and strict compliance with building codes, noting that government enforcement alone cannot end building collapses.

Oki said the Sanwo-Olu administration is repositioning the state’s built environment to become “a model for measuring excellence across the country” through policy reforms and innovative enforcement tools.

One such initiative, he explained, is the Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP), which deploys accredited professionals to monitor projects from foundation to completion, drastically reducing the risks that lead to building collapse.