— Minister Dangiwa says challenge requires multi-professional collaboration
In a renewed effort to curb the rising cases of building collapse across the country, the Federal Government has inaugurated an expanded Ministerial Task Team on Building Collapse. The inauguration, led by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, took place on Wednesday, 18th June 2025, in Abuja.
The newly expanded committee includes representatives from key professional regulatory bodies within Nigeria’s built environment sector. These include the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON), Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), and the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG).
In his address, Minister Dangiwa decried the disturbing frequency of building collapse incidents in Nigeria, describing them as both avoidable and a source of national embarrassment.
“These tragedies have resulted in the needless loss of lives, permanent injuries, destruction of property, and long-lasting trauma for families. This is unacceptable,” the Minister said.
He explained that the government had initially set up a Committee on Building Collapse in 2024 to identify root causes and propose sustainable solutions. That committee, chaired by Arch. Maji Liberty Alkali, submitted a report containing 18 key recommendations.
To ensure more inclusive and effective implementation of these recommendations, Dangiwa announced the expansion of the committee to include wider professional input. He emphasized that the issue of building collapse is not the fault of any single profession but rather a deeply interconnected challenge involving architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, builders, and other key stakeholders.
“There is a need for synergy. Architects must ensure designs meet safety standards. Engineers must guarantee structural integrity. Builders must carry out constructions with precision and ethics, while other professionals must ensure regulations and codes are fully enforced,” he added.
The terms of reference for the reconstituted committee include reviewing the 18 earlier-approved recommendations, proposing phased implementation strategies, developing a roadmap for addressing systemic and institutional challenges, and drafting a national legislation to enhance federal oversight of construction activities.
The team is also expected to design a compliance checklist for regulatory bodies to improve monitoring, enforce standards, and promote ethical practices in building construction and approval processes.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s full support for the committee’s work, the Minister directed the Permanent Secretary to provide all necessary resources and coordination mechanisms to aid its operations.
“Once your roadmap is ready, I will personally engage with relevant arms of government—federal and state—to ensure smooth execution of your recommendations. We are also considering incorporating elements of your work into broader national housing and urban development policies,” Dangiwa stated.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, expressed confidence in the committee members’ capabilities, praising their wealth of expertise and dedication to public service.
In his vote of thanks, Arc. Umaru Usman Karaye, who represented ARCON and chairs the committee, expressed gratitude to the Minister and other stakeholders for entrusting them with the critical assignment. He pledged the committee’s readiness to collaborate across sectors to deliver meaningful and lasting solutions.
“We are committed to finding comprehensive solutions to this recurring tragedy. With unity of purpose, we can stop the menace of building collapse in Nigeria,” Karaye said.
The event was rounded off with a collective call for professionalism, accountability, and national commitment to building safety and sustainability.
