The Building Collapse Prevention Guild has revealed that Nigeria experienced 1,574 fatalities in 627 reported building collapse incidents between 1974 and 2024.
In a recent statement by the guild, the first recorded building collapse in Nigeria took place in October 1974 in Oyo State.
The tragic incident involved a multi-story building that gave way due to excessive loading, resulting in the death of 27 individuals.
Providing further details, the guild stated, “The Building Collapse Prevention Guild has reported from its record, from October 1, 1974, to September 17, 2024, 1,574 deaths occurred in 627 reported incidents of building collapse in Nigeria.”
“The first recorded building collapse in Nigeria occurred in October 1974 in Oyo State, involving a multi-story building that collapsed due to excessive loading, resulting in the death of 27 people.”
The most recent incident, as noted in the BCPG’s records, took place in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A residential building collapsed in the early hours of Monday, September 16, 2024, during a heavy rainstorm, leaving four individuals injured.
The guild also highlighted the significance of 2024, marking the 10th anniversary of the catastrophic collapse of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations building, which resulted in 116 deaths.
Recalling the tragic event, the guild said, “On Friday, September 12, 2014, a tragic incident occurred when a 7-storey multipurpose building within the Synagogue Church of All Nations premises in Ikotun, Lagos State, Nigeria, collapsed. In response to this devastating news, members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Igando-Ikotun Cell rushed to the scene to offer assistance.”
“Sadly, 116 people, including some foreigners, lost their lives in this calamitous collapse, while many others sustained various degrees of injury.”
The guild noted that following the collapse, they were appointed by the coroner’s inquest to conduct an independent investigation into the causes of the disaster, which contributed significantly to the subsequent legal proceedings.
“As an independent body of built environment professionals, BCPG was tasked by the coroner’s inquest to investigate the causes of the collapse that led to such a huge loss of lives. An intensive technical investigation was carried out pro bono, resulting in a comprehensive report that became instrumental in the subsequent court prosecution,” the guild added.
Reflecting on the decade since the tragic incident, the guild stated, “Today marks the 10th anniversary of this unfortunate building collapse. How time flies!”
The guild expressed frustration over the lack of resolution in the legal case, urging the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, to clarify the current status of the case.
They emphasized that prolonged delays in justice not only undermine accountability but also encourage a culture of impunity.
“However, a pressing question weighs on our minds on this solemn day: What is the outcome of the court case? We hereby call on the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro, SAN, to provide an answer to this important and legitimate question.”
The guild continued by condemning the lack of consequences for those responsible, arguing that this has contributed to the persistence of building collapses across the country.
“Since the fatal Synagogue building collapse, BCPG has recorded 306 additional building collapses in Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of no fewer than 508 people, with many others injured. This preventable loss of lives and the colossal waste of building materials must stop!”
In a message of condolence, the guild members offered prayers for the souls lost and for the comfort of the bereaved families. They stressed the importance of prioritizing safety in construction to prevent further tragedies.
“The September 12 anniversary serves as a reminder to all Nigerians to prioritise safety in building construction to prevent the continued loss of precious lives through these tragic building collapses. Prevention is superior to damage control,” the guild concluded.
