Over 120 Nigerian children killed in building collapse as builders launch safety campaign

More than 120 children have died in building collapse incidents across Nigeria, with experts blaming poor construction practices and widespread disregard for the national building code.

The alarming figure was disclosed by the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), which warned that the situation could worsen as the 2026 rainy season approaches.

Speaking during the Builders’ Day 2026 celebration in Anambra State, the State President of the institute, Ikenna Okpala, described the recurring incidents as a national tragedy linked to unprofessional construction practices.

Okpala said many of the disasters occurred because unqualified people were often hired to manage construction projects, leading to structural failures.

“This is a national disaster. From 2019 to now, the number must have increased due to poor construction management and non-compliance with the national building code,” he said.

He warned that as the rainy season approaches, more cases of collapsed structures could be recorded if urgent measures are not taken.

“With the onset of the rainy season this year, you will soon hear about building collapses in the country. Most of these are caused by those who are not professional builders but are hired by unsuspecting clients,” he added.

As part of efforts to curb this trend, the institute has launched an awareness campaign among tertiary institutions in Anambra State to promote professionalism and safety in the construction industry.

The awareness programme, organized as part of the Builders’ Day activities, included visits to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where NIOB officials engaged students and lecturers in construction-related departments.

Addressing attendees, the institute’s national president, Daniel Abimbola Kalade, said the annual celebration provided professionals with an opportunity to assess the state of the construction industry and recommit themselves to safer construction standards.

According to him, the theme of this year’s celebration – “Advocacy and political influence towards sustainable reforms for a resilient built environment” – highlights the need for stronger legal frameworks and better policy implementation to address structural failures.

Kalade said the institute remains committed to promoting professionalism, ethical standards and quality assurance in the construction industry.

He noted that the organization will continue to collaborate with government agencies, regulatory bodies and private sector stakeholders to ensure compliance with global best practices in the construction industry.

In a bid to strengthen technical capacity in the sector, the institute has also signed a memorandum of understanding with West African Ceramics Limited to provide training and capacity building to building artisans.

Kalade said the partnership would help improve the technical competence of the workforce and encourage the adoption of modern building materials and safer construction techniques.

“The responsibility to reform the built environment sector is shared. Government, professional bodies, private organizations and educational institutions must work together to ensure that standards and practices are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

Experts have repeatedly warned that weak enforcement of building regulations, the use of substandard materials and the use of unqualified builders remain the main causes of building collapse in Nigeria.

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