Lagos tightens building oversight as collapse risk declines

Lagos has stepped up efforts to prevent building collapses, a recurring risk in the fast-growing city. Between 2020 and early 2025, the state recorded more than 80 building collapse cases, according to state emergency reports and urban development records. Analysts estimate Lagos accounts for roughly 60 percent of reported incidents nationwide during that period. Weak enforcement, substandard materials, and disregard for approved plans repeatedly emerged as contributing factors.

Before reforms, many construction sites operated with minimal supervision once permits were issued. Developers sometimes exceeded approved floors, artisans worked without structural guidance, and inspections were irregular. The consequences have been costly, both in lives lost and billions of naira in damages.

“We can no longer rely on voluntary compliance to ensure safety,” said a LASBCA official. “Inspectors are now on-site more frequently, and construction cannot proceed without passing stage inspections.”

To address these risks, the Lagos State Government empowered LASBCA with stricter oversight authority. Field officers increased inspections in high-risk areas such as Lekki, Ikoyi, and Ajah. Between 2022 and 2025, LASBCA sealed over 3,500 non-compliant structures and removed hundreds of distressed buildings identified as hazards. Mandatory stage inspections were also introduced, requiring clearance before construction could proceed to the next phase.

The results have begun to show. Officials say enhanced inspections and enforcement have contributed to a decline in collapse incidents in recent years, compared with earlier periods. Early detection also reduced casualties, as buildings flagged as unsafe were evacuated before disaster struck.

A key tool for compliance is the Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation, which confirms a building meets safety and regulatory standards before occupancy. Developers often cite this certification as proof of compliance. “Our Gold Stripes Court project passed all inspections and met state building codes,” said Oluwatosin Fatukasi, managing director/ceo at Lomel Homes Limited. “The certification is not just paperwork; it’s a commitment to residents’ safety.”

Walking through Lekki today, cranes and scaffolding stretch into the sky, but with a stricter presence. Officials in reflective jackets check columns, measure setbacks, and enforce rules once ignored.

While the risk of building collapses remains, regulatory reforms are shaping a more watchful Lagos, where compliance is no longer optional and safety increasingly depends on doing things right from the ground up.