FG plans building code advisory committee to tackle concerns

The Federal Government is planning to inaugurate the National Building Code Advisory Committee later this month to address the issue of building collapse in the country.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Shuaib Belgore, disclosed this at the National Building Safety and Structural Integrity Initiative (NBSSII), organised by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

The programme, with the theme, “Incessant Building Collapse in Nigeria: The Need for Strict Adherence to Building Codes and Regulations,” was attended by professionals in the built environment, local council chairmen, and party leaders.

The minister noted that on June 17, 2025, he also inaugurated the Ministerial Task Team Committee on Building Collapse in Nigeria with a clear mandate to investigate and address the root causes of building collapses, recommend effective enforcement and compliance strategies, and work with states, professional bodies, and development partners in implementing practical preventive measures.

He stated that the advisory committee to be inaugurated later in August will drive the review, updating and implementation of the National Building Code across all states. “I am pleased to inform you that invitations to Lagos State for its nominee as well as other states are being prepared in my office to ensure broad and inclusive representation in this vital national event,” he said.

Dangiwa emphasised that the workshop was more than just an event, but part of an urgent and ongoing national conversation about the safety, resilience, and sustainability of our buildings and grounds.

According to him, the safety and stability of buildings are not just technical and professional matters; they are fundamentally about human life, dignity, and national development.

In his remarks, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called for a uniform national building code that would be enforceable and adaptable to local content.

The governor also called for collective actions and collaboration, not only as builders but as professionals in the built environment, to ensure ethical integrity while avoiding negligence to ensure every building in the state is safe and livable for all.

He noted that building collapses had drastically reduced in the state over the last year, restating the commitment of the government to address issues facing urban development with a proactive strategy by embarking on public awareness campaigns and reviewing the enforcement of the building code.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, said the current administration had consistently demonstrated commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains a safe, well-structured, and sustainable megacity, especially with the launch of the Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP).

COURTESY: vavalue.com