More than 120 children have died in building collapse incidents across Nigeria, with experts blaming poor construction practices and widespread disregard for the National Building Code.
The alarming figure was disclosed by the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), which warned that the situation could worsen as the 2026 rainy season approaches.
Speaking during the 2026 Builders’ Day celebration in Anambra State, the state chairman of the institute, Ikenna Okpala, described the recurring incidents as a national tragedy linked to unprofessional construction practices.
Okpala said many of the disasters occurred because unqualified individuals were often engaged to handle building projects, leading to structural failures.
“This is a national disaster. From 2019 till now, the number must have increased due to poor construction management and the failure to adhere to the National Building Code,” he said.
He warned that with the rainy season approaching, more cases of collapsed structures might be recorded if urgent measures were not taken.
“As this year’s rainy season begins, you would soon hear of building collapses in the country. Most of these are caused by those who are not professional builders but are engaged by unsuspecting clients,” he added.
As part of efforts to curb the trend, the institute has launched an advocacy campaign across tertiary institutions in Anambra State to promote professionalism and safety in the construction industry.
The outreach programme, organised as part of the Builders’ Day activities, featured visits to Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where NIOB officials engaged students and lecturers in building-related departments.
Addressing participants, the National President of the institute, Daniel Abimbola Kalade, said the annual celebration provided an opportunity for professionals to evaluate the state of the building sector and recommit to safer construction standards.
According to him, the theme of this year’s celebration — “Advocacy and Policy Influence towards Sustainable Reforms for a Resilient Built Environment” — underscores the need for stronger legal frameworks and better policy implementation to address structural failures.
Kalade said the institute remained committed to promoting professionalism, ethical standards and quality assurance within the building industry.
He noted that the organisation would continue to collaborate with government agencies, regulatory bodies and private sector stakeholders to ensure compliance with global best practices in construction.
In a move to strengthen technical capacity in the sector, the institute also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with West African Ceramics Limited to provide training and capacity development for construction artisans.
Kalade said the partnership would help improve technical competence within the workforce and encourage the adoption of modern building materials and safer construction techniques.
“The responsibility of reforming the built environment sector is a shared one. Government, professional bodies, private organisations and educational institutions must work together to ensure that standards and practices align with sustainable development goals,” he said.
Experts have repeatedly warned that weak enforcement of building regulations, use of substandard materials and engagement of unqualified builders remain major causes of building collapse in Nigeria.
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