Deadly Designs! Experts Reveal Why Buildings Keep Crumbling Like Sandcastles

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s engineering sector have identified ineffective engineering administration as a key factor contributing to the recurring incidents of building collapse across the country.

This concern was raised during the 5th Engr. Umar Jibrin Distinguished Annual Public Lecture, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers (NICE) on Saturday in Abuja. The event, themed “Effective Engineering Administration as a Panacea for Building and Infrastructure Collapse,” was held in honour of Engr. Umar Jibrin, celebrated for his decades of service to national development through engineering.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Okorie Uche, Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), described the frequent collapse of buildings and infrastructure as a national emergency. He attributed the crisis to poor supervision by qualified professionals, use of substandard materials, weak enforcement of building regulations, outdated structural designs, corruption in planning approvals, and poor maintenance culture.

“From residential buildings to bridges, roads, and public infrastructure, Nigeria has seen numerous catastrophic failures. These are not mere accidents but symptoms of systemic issues that demand immediate action,” Uche stated.

He emphasized that about 80% of infrastructure failures stem from privately developed projects, highlighting the urgent need to bring such developers under stricter regulation and oversight.

Uche further described engineering administration as the foundation of any successful infrastructure project, encompassing research, planning, policy execution, project management, and adherence to standards. He warned that each structural failure represents a breakdown in governance, loss of public trust, and a blow to national progress.

“Every collapse is not just a structural failure—it’s a failure of administration. We must prioritize professionalism over patronage and long-term safety over short-term gains,” he said. “A nation cannot rise above the integrity of its infrastructure, and no infrastructure can stand without strong engineering administration.”

He also called attention to the underfunding of COREN, the regulatory body responsible for monitoring engineering practices in Nigeria, noting that its limited capacity is undermining the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.

Guest speaker Mustafa Shehu, President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, stressed the importance of Africa aligning with global best practices in engineering.

Also speaking, NICE National Chairman Tokunbo Ajanaku described the lecture as more than a tradition, but a critical forum to reflect on engineering’s impact on society. He noted that building and infrastructure failures not only incur economic costs but also claim lives.

“It is no longer enough to blame poor design or construction. We must examine the broader administrative frameworks—our regulatory systems, project oversight, and leadership in engineering institutions,” Ajanaku said. “Effective engineering administration is the key to sustainable, safe development.”

Engr. Umar Jibrin, in whose honour the event was held, commended NICE for upholding the annual lecture tradition and fostering discourse on national engineering challenges.