Families across Nigeria are grappling with the aftermath of devastating building collapses, which have resulted in tragic losses and ongoing trauma. The persistence of these incidents has raised serious concerns about the enforcement of building regulations and the use of substandard materials in construction.

One poignant case is that of Saheed Akeredolu, whose life changed forever on May 27, 2025, when a residential building he was developing in Ikorodu, Lagos State, collapsed. The tragedy claimed the lives of his 17-year-old son, Abdulmalik, and his eight-year-old daughter, Amirat. On what was meant to be a joyful Children’s Day, Akeredolu lost his only son and last child. He recounted how his children had gone into the building to pray, unaware of the impending disaster. "I just started life from scratch. I was wearing only boxers the day this happened," he lamented, reflecting on the emotional and financial toll the incident has taken on his family.

The Akeredolu family is not alone in their grief. In 2019, Mrs. Omawunmi Balogun lost her eight-year-old daughter, Radiat, when a school building in Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island, collapsed. The trauma of losing her only child has left Balogun with lasting health issues, including hypertension. She expressed frustration over the lack of support from the school involved, which continues to operate despite the tragedy that unfolded on its premises.

Recent building collapses have intensified scrutiny on the safety of structures in Nigeria. A notable incident occurred on June 25, 2026, when a four-storey building in Satellite Town, Lagos, collapsed, resulting in eight fatalities and 26 rescues. This incident highlighted the alarming trend of collapses occurring in occupied buildings, raising questions about the safety of residents.

According to a report by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, a staggering 68.1% of building collapses in Lagos occur while structures are occupied. The guild documented 477 of the 817 building collapse incidents from October 1971 to July 2026, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety measures.

Experts attribute the ongoing issue of building collapses to several factors, including weak regulatory enforcement, the use of unqualified practitioners, and substandard materials. Tokunbo Akinhanmi, Honorary Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors & Valuers, emphasized the need for stricter monitoring and compliance with building regulations to prevent future tragedies.

In response to the growing crisis, the Federal Government has initiated a program aimed at enhancing the investigation of engineering failures, including building collapses. The Certified Forensic Engineering Failure Investigator certification program was launched to ensure that incidents are thoroughly examined, and accountability is established.

Despite these efforts, the reality for many families remains grim. The emotional and financial scars left by building collapses are deep, with survivors often left to navigate life without their loved ones and face the loss of homes and livelihoods. As Nigeria continues to grapple with this pressing issue, the call for better construction practices and regulatory enforcement becomes ever more critical.