FG tasks builders on quality, supervision

The Federal Government has called on Nigerian builders to reject shoddy materials, enhance site supervision, and uphold professional standards to curb building collapses and boost affordable housing delivery. Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the call at the opening of the 56th Builders’ Conference and AGM of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) in Abuja.

Akume emphasized the government’s dedication to advancing housing through superior construction, greater use of locally manufactured building materials, and closer collaboration with professionals under the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda. He defined housing as more than mere physical structures, noting it provides safety, dignity, family stability, and avenues for wealth creation.

Akume stressed that each completed building must showcase the competence and ethical accountability of professional builders, warning that Nigeria’s burgeoning population, expected to reach approximately 450 million by 2050, necessitates stricter observance of construction standards and an end to the use of substandard materials, insufficient supervision, and unqualified labor.

He also urged registered builders not to associate their names or professional seals with projects they did not supervise, labeling this practice as a threat to public safety, professional reputation, and public trust. To reduce construction costs and make housing more affordable, the minister called for the wider adoption of modern construction techniques, transparent procurement, and stronger domestic supply chains.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqa Darma, identified recurrent building collapses as one of the sector’s major challenges, stressing that builders play a crucial role in ensuring adherence to construction standards through quality control, material testing, and effective site supervision. Darma called on conference participants to develop practical policy recommendations to improve housing delivery and enhance safety in the built environment.

NIOB President, Builder Daniel Kolade, stated that the institute has ramped up nationwide advocacy against building collapses and professional quackery. He proposed marking March 13 as National Builders’ Day to honor victims of a devastating building collapse in Lagos and raise public awareness about the importance of employing qualified building professionals.

Kolade expressed confidence that persistent advocacy, stronger regulation, and cooperation between government and industry stakeholders would help decrease building collapses and improve safety on construction sites. The conference, themed "Repositioning the Building Profession: Advocacy and Policy Influence on Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment," gathered policymakers, builders, and other construction industry stakeholders to tackle challenges facing Nigeria’s housing sector.