BCPG Calls for Thorough Probe After Lagos Building Collapse

Professionals from the built environment sector, acting through the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), have urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to guarantee a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of the structure at 10, Oremeta Street, Ojodu.

Moreover, the organization seeks for the House of Assembly to establish a committee with an oversight role, aiming to investigate the present condition of the locations where previously collapsed buildings were situated within Lagos State.

The team committed to providing legislators with a detailed inventory of collapsed buildings in Lagos State should they ask for it.

To show their willingness to support both the government and legislators, the organization emphasized that maintaining integrity was crucial for preventing building collapses. They cautioned against continuing to jeopardize people’s safety and possessions.

In a letter penned by BCPG Ojodu Cell’s Coordinator, Mr. Abiodun Adegoke; Secretary, Mr. Dom Ibeh; and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Ishola, they collectively expressed disapproval over the recently collapsed structure under development within their area. This incident resulted in fatalities among seven individuals and left another thirteen people injured to varying extents.

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They characterized it as "Another preventable mistake from history repeating itself," stating, "The partial collapse of a four-story structure—comprising three above-ground levels plus an additional floor—in progress at 10 Oremeta Street, Ojodu, Lagos, occurred on Saturday, April 19, 2025. This event struck a significant blow against the shared moral awareness of BCPG members in Ojodu."

The anguish and remorse grew intense as the daily count of victims found amidst the debris rose steadily.

The specific nature of this collapse, along with the tragic loss of innocent lives, being entirely avoidable has left an open wound in our conscience that is hard to mend.

How did this infamous and audacious building manage to fall precisely between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, thus committing an unforgivable mistake? It was truly pitiful.

Unfortunately, the organization stated that the reason for the collapse was the failure to implement the recommendations put forward after a comparable building had fallen down approximately 12 years prior. This earlier incident involved a four-story structure being built at No. 15, Bashiru Street, Ojodu, Lagos, which resulted in one fatality upon collapsing.

Apparently, the executives of BCPG said that the lack of implementation of the BCPG’s recommendations made in respect of the 2013 collapsed building at Bashiru Street led to the collapse of the building at Oremeta Street.

'Initially, the risk associated with inhabiting an unfinished structure was highlighted. This went against the requirement for certification of habitability, which is necessary before occupying the building.'

Secondly, the risk inherently associated with the growing number of floors/height of a building over an extended period intensified.

The stability of a structure left unfinished and exposed to the elements for an extended duration had to be verified prior to adding further weight. Ferrous concrete with honeycomb texture takes in moisture, which impairs the inherent tensile strength provided by the steel reinforcing bars.

The team mentioned that significant attention was directed towards renewing the construction permit for a structure that had been undergoing an extended duration of completion.

“Among other valid recommendations that were made by BCPG Ojodu Cell was the need to conduct structural integrity tests on the three-storey building adjoining the compound of the collapsed building. The engagement of competent professionals in the process of building development was included.

Remarkably, the structure that collapsed on Bashiru Street was situated approximately 150 meters from the one in Oremeta Street," the team noted. "Despite their close distance, both buildings encountered comparable issues.

The structure located at No. 10, Oremeta Street, as highlighted by the group, has been under construction longer than usual, leaving it vulnerable to harsh weather conditions for several years.

BCPG mentioned that the ground level of the structural frame served as a restaurant, bar, and various forms of entertainment. They also noted that the building fell down when construction activities restarted following an extended pause.

Interestingly, the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has always been situated in Ojodu. This made structural integrity assessments and other pertinent tests easily accessible.

Typically, when construction work stops in any building development project for over five years, the initiative is classified as an "Abandoned Project."

To proceed with the continuation of construction or site operations, the group stated that all required safety measures should have been implemented.

"A construction project should ensure safety for people and their assets without significantly affecting nearby structures," the statement read, noting that a newly built two-story structure has taken over No. 15, Bashiru Street, Ojodu, which was previously occupied by a four-story church building that fell down in 2013.

Was permission for construction been granted on land seized by the government?

Nevertheless, according to Section 74 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law from 2010, the government has the right to seize any land where a building has collapsed. This penalty is further supported by Section 25, subsection 4 of the 2019 Lagos State Building Control Agency Regulations, which specifies:

Should any building collapse because of the developer’s neglect, it must be quarantined and subsequently handed over to the State Government following an official inquiry and the announcement of confiscation in the State gazette.

The organization stated that the remarkable occurrence at No. 15, Bashiru Street, Ojodu demanded prompt scrutiny.

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