Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the creation of a National Building Tribunal to fast-track prosecution of offenders in structural failure cases, stressing it will help curb incessant building collapses. Speaking at a sensitisation programme on building collapse and the launch of the Lagos Certified Structural Integrity Programme (CSIP), Sanwo-Olu described professional negligence in the construction sector as “a form of social violence,” noting the economic, emotional, and human toll of unsafe structures.
He called for consistent enforcement, accountability from professional bodies, and public vigilance in reporting suspicious construction. “The lives we protect are our sons and daughters, breadwinners, students, and elders who deserve dignity and safety,” he said.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, also urged stakeholders to embrace a safety culture and strict compliance with building codes, warning that government enforcement alone cannot end building collapses. The CSIP aims to improve safety compliance and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s building sector.
