Report reveals 1,639 deaths from building collapses nationwide

The number of building collapse incidents in Nigeria has risen to 679, claiming at least 1,639 lives, according to a new report by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG).

The guild said the first recorded collapse occurred in October 1974 in Oyo state, when a multi-storey building failed due to excessive loading, killing 27 people.

Since then, Lagos state has emerged as the epicentre of such disasters, accounting for 53.9 percent of all recorded cases nationwide.

Other states heavily affected include Abuja (4.42%), Anambra (4.27%), Oyo (3.68%), and Kano (3.39%), completing the top five.

In contrast, states like Zamfara, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Gombe, Katsina, and Kebbi have each recorded only one incident since documentation began.

The report noted that the problem has become increasingly widespread, with states such as Taraba, Bayelsa, Gombe, and Yobe recording their first-ever collapses in 2022. That same year marked Nigeria’s worst yet, with 62 incidents recorded — 20 of them in Lagos.

Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, 2020 still saw 45 collapses, while 2023 followed closely behind 2022 with 52 cases, 17 of which occurred in Lagos.

In 2024, the BCPG recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states, led by Lagos (13), Abuja (6), Anambra (5), Kano and Rivers (4 each), and Jigawa and Plateau (3 each). Others like Osun, Delta, Niger, Abia, Edo, Oyo, and Ebonyi also reported cases.

So far in 2025, there have been 37 recorded incidents, beginning with a January 4 collapse in Rivers State.

Lagos again tops the list with 12, followed by Ekiti and Abia (4 each), Anambra (3), and Oyo, Abuja, and Ogun (2 each). States including Yobe, Delta, Edo, Kano, Ebonyi, Kwara, Katsina, Jigawa, and Taraba have each reported one case this year.

The BCPG also recalled the deadliest incident to date — the collapse of a 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 1, 2021, which killed 52 people.

Decrying the frequency of collapses, Dr. Victor Oyenuga, a member of BCPG’s Amuwo Cell in Lagos, described the trend as “alarming and worrisome.”

“Many lives and properties have been lost across cities such as Lagos, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Abuja,” Oyenuga said. “Many property owners have developed high blood pressure, and some have been sent to their early graves over these incidents.”

He lamented that site inspections often reveal “pathetic” conditions and a culture of cutting corners in construction at the expense of public safety.

Oyenuga highlighted the far-reaching consequences of building collapses, from massive economic losses to public distrust in government and professionals in the built environment.

“Between 2016 and now, the death toll has exceeded 200,” he said.

“Clearing debris, investigating causes, and redesigning projects cost huge sums, while many clients lose their sites entirely, especially in Lagos. The physical planning authorities are indicted, and public confidence continues to erode.”

The guild called for stronger enforcement of building regulations, professional accountability, and early intervention to halt what it described as a growing national tragedy.