COREN Reports: Nigeria Records 22 Building Collapses, 33 Deaths in Seven Months

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has reported that Nigeria experienced 22 building collapses between January and July 2024.

Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, President of COREN, revealed this information during a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday. The conference was themed, “The Incessant Spate of Building Collapse in Nigeria in Recent Times: A Call for Sustainable Collaboration by All Stakeholders.”

Abubakar noted that from January to July 14, 22 building collapse incidents were reported in Nigeria, with Lagos accounting for 27.27%, and Abuja and Anambra each contributing 18.18%.

He further explained that Ekiti and Plateau each recorded 9.09%, while Kano, Taraba, and Niger states each reported 4.55%.

“Records show that Lagos leads in the incidence of building collapses. Since 2012, over 91 buildings have collapsed in Lagos, resulting in more than 354 deaths. In Abuja, around 30 buildings have collapsed since 1993, causing over 64 deaths and numerous injuries,” Abubakar stated.

He also mentioned recent incidents, including the collapse near DMGS Onitsha, Anambra State, on June 12, and a school building (Saint Academy) in Plateau on July 13, which resulted in 22 student deaths and 134 injuries. Another collapse occurred in Kubwa, Abuja.

Abubakar stressed that these incidents are alarming and require serious reflection and collaboration among all stakeholders to address and prevent further occurrences.