Co-Founder Landnest Homes, Olusola Areo proffers action plans to tackle building collapse in Nigeria

A surveyor, Olusola Areo, has called for urgent attention from the government, professional bodies, and the public to mitigate the pressing issue of building collapses in Lagos and other regions of Nigeria.

In an interview with journalists after he bagged the “Professional Fellowship Doctorate in Real Estate Development and Entrepreneurship Sustainability” by The Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (CIPRMP), Ghana and other honorary accolades for his leadership inspiration to societal growth in Africa, Areo outlined five crucial strategies to address this escalating concern.

One of Areo’s primary points is the alarming trend of employing unskilled labor and non-professionals in construction projects to cut costs.

He emphasised that hiring qualified professionals and skilled labor is essential to combat the rising incidence of building collapses in the region.

Areo commended the Lagos State government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwolu, for its swift actions and reform strategies aimed at addressing the issue.

He noted that recent measures are expected to enforce stricter building codes, ensure rigorous inspections, and impose penalties for non-compliance with existing regulations.

Furthermore, Areo called for regulatory bodies and professional institutions to provide continuous education and certification for architects, engineers, and construction workers.

He stated that this training is vital for keeping industry professionals informed about best practices and safety standards, as well as promoting innovative and resilient building designs suited to local environmental conditions.

Another critical aspect mentioned by Areo is the promotion of high-quality building materials and equipment.

He stressed the importance of Quality Assessment and Quality Control (QAQC) engineers in regularly testing materials to ensure they meet safety standards throughout the construction process.

Areo also urged the public to play an active role in ensuring building safety, advocating for greater awareness and education on reporting unsafe building practices, emphasizing the principle of “if you see something, say something,” which he said, the proactive approach can facilitate timely interventions before potential collapses occur.

He remarked, “The various regulatory bodies, professional institutions, and government parastatals can assist with relevant training and certifications for industry professionals to ensure they are up-to-date with best practices and safety standards. Promoting innovative and resilient building designs that can withstand local environmental conditions is essential.”

“Promoting the use of standard and quality building materials and or equipments is also a vital element in curbing the incessant collapse of buildings in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. Ensuring QAQC engineers (Quality Assessment and Quality control) and consultants are encouraged to not overlook regular testing of materials and equipments to ensure they meet safety standards at every vital stage of construction.”

“Lastly, the entire public also has a part to play. The usual saying in safety and security measures “if you see something, say something” does not only apply in security measures but also applies in safety of constructions in and around us.”

“The entire populace needs to be educated and sensitized on reporting unsafe building practices and structures happening around them. This will enable control implementations before the collapse of these structures and a rescue operation can be put in place or a controlled demolition.”

“Implementing these solutions requires collaboration between government authorities, industry professionals, and the public to create a safer building environment,” he stressed.

Areo, whose commitment to improving the construction landscape is rooted in his extensive experience, has a distinguished background, having held key positions such as heading the survey department at “AFTAPANACEA,” serving as acting manager at “DIARSA GLOBAL INTEGRATED SERVICES LTD.”

As an award-winning consultant surveyor and co-founder of Landnest Home & Properties, Areo is recognised as one of Africa’s 100 most influential young leaders, who continues to drive positive change in the real estate industry.

Areo, however, emphasised that implementing these solutions requires collaboration among government authorities, industry professionals, and the public to create a safer building environment in Nigeria.