The Building Collapse Prevention Guild Lekki Cell has attributed the frequent building collapses in Lekki to the failure of authorities to investigate past incidents and implement necessary preventive measures.
The guild, comprising professionals in the built environment, warned that government inaction on previous collapse investigations has encouraged impunity, allowing unsafe construction practices to continue unchecked.
In a statement jointly signed by its Coordinator, Wunmi Agbaje, and General Secretary, Godfrey C. Godfrey, BCPG Lekki Cell suggested that the lack of consequences for those responsible could be seen as a deliberate effort to shield culprits.
According to the group, “On Tuesday, January 28, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) announced the collapse of a two-storey building under construction at the gated Northern Foreshore Estate, Off Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos State, leading to the death of two persons.
“On the same day, a three-storey building under construction collapsed at Mega Mall Estate, Mobil Road, Inikpa, Ikota, Lekki, killing two persons, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“Rescue operations with the aid of heavy-duty plant and equipment dismantled and compressed the carcass, thereby destroying part of evidence required for investigations.
“On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, a four-storey building under construction collapsed at Oriwu Street, Lekki Phase One, resulting in the deaths of four persons, while many people were injured.
“Members of the BCPG Lekki Cell, who paid a technical visit to the site, based on empirical observation and information garnered on the grapevine, saw the urgent need to investigate this collapsed building.
“However, the hope of getting the government to investigate this collapse might be dim drawing from the experience of the neighbouring BCPG Iru-Victoria Island Cell when a nine-storey building under construction collapsed at Prince Idowu Abiodun Road, Oniru, Victoria Island Extension on Sunday, September 9, 2022.”
The guild recalled that in the 2022 incident, which claimed four lives, all efforts to push for an official investigation into the cause of the collapse were unsuccessful.
A similar pattern, it said, was observed when a five-storey building under construction collapsed in the same area on November 4, 2013. Despite recommendations for a post-mortem analysis, no official investigation was carried out, nor was the land forfeited in line with the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2010.
“Such inaction on the part of the government could be interpreted as a deliberate protection of culpable individuals,” the guild said.
BCPG Lekki Cell emphasised that identifying the causes of building collapses and implementing recommendations from investigations are crucial steps toward preventing future tragedies.
“Moreover, the law requires an investigation of a collapsed building before the land can be confiscated by the government.”
In light of this, the guild appealed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure the enforcement of existing laws that could help curb the rising cases of building collapses and save lives.
The group also announced plans to embark on a voluntary tour of Lekki Peninsula to assess the current status of lands where collapsed buildings once stood, with a view to making their findings public.
“Courageous professionals with unquestionable integrity who are willing to witness this exercise should not hesitate to reach out to us.
“The need to ensure that housing development is not meant for every Tom, Dick, and Harry cannot be overemphasised.
“The real estate sector needs to be well regulated. Those who want to engage in the housing business should endeavour to join the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) for induction and training in the ethics and acceptable practices of housing business,” the statement concluded.
