Industry stakeholders have blamed unqualified handling of concrete and weak regulation in Nigeria’s construction sector for recurring building collapse, calling for stricter laws and greater professional control of construction processes.
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They warned that the increasing involvement of unqualified persons in critical stages of building construction, particularly concrete production and placement, continues to endanger lives, compromise building standards and contribute to structural failure across the country.
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These concerns were raised at the 2026 Annual Business Luncheon of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ikeja Branch, themed “Reclaiming the Built Environment Value Chain; Strengthening Standards, Regulation and Investment in Nigeria Construction Ecosystem,” where stronger regulation, professional control of the construction value chain and increased investment in engineering-driven infrastructure development were underscored.
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Speaking, Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Misbau Aminu, said unqualified persons continue to dominate critical aspects of the industry, particularly concrete processing, thereby contributing to building collapse and project failure across the country.
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According to him, concrete and steel remain the two most critical materials in building construction because they provide compressive and tensile strength respectively, making proper handling essential to structural safety.
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“As it is today, 80 per cent of our concrete is being processed by quacks, people that do not have scientific knowledge of concrete,” he lamented, arguing that concrete production and placement should be handled under stricter professional supervision to reduce structural defects and building collapse. He called for the creation of a professionally regulated concrete industry to improve research, development and construction standards while reducing quackery and project failure.
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He also urged engineers to become more involved in the commercial, industrial and distribution aspects of engineering products and services, arguing that greater participation across the engineering value chain would improve standards while creating more business and employment opportunities for professionals.
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Drawing comparisons with the pharmaceutical industry, he said pharmacists had successfully regulated and protected their sector by ensuring only certified professionals handle the sale and distribution of drugs, adding that engineers should pursue similar reforms within the construction industry.

Such reforms should eventually be implemented nationally, although Lagos could serve as a starting point because of the frequency of building collapse incidents recorded in the state.
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He also called for enabling legislation, stronger institutional enforcement and greater engineering participation in policymaking and leadership positions within sectors directly connected to engineering and infrastructure development.
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On the need for more coordinated urban infrastructure systems, Special Adviser, Broadband Innovation and Technology to the Lagos State Governor, Ganiyu Oseni, said modern cities can no longer be built around physical infrastructure alone, stressing that digital connectivity has become a critical part of urban development.
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He said broadband infrastructure had become as strategic as road infrastructure, noting that cities increasingly depend on data systems, connectivity and digital infrastructure to support governance, security, business productivity and investment. He identified poor coordination among infrastructure providers as a major challenge, explaining that roads are frequently excavated repeatedly because fibre, drainage, transport and utility systems are often designed independently instead of as integrated infrastructure.
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According to him, future urban development would require stronger collaboration among engineers, urban planners, policymakers, technologists and infrastructure providers from the planning stage of projects. He, however, stressed that technology alone cannot solve urban problems without good governance, sound engineering practices, maintenance culture and regulatory discipline.

Chair, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ikeja Branch, Nimot Muili, said their aim is to see how they can reclaim and sanitise critical aspects of the engineering and manufacturing value chain. She noted that many activities across sectors such as construction, wastewater management, mining and power are increasingly being handled within the informal sector despite their technical nature, while engineers are often blamed when failures occur.  
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The increasing informalisation and weak regulation of several engineering-related activities, she said, have also reduced opportunities for engineers within the sector.
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Muili said the goal is to engage policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders on gaps within the value chain, while also examining training, regulation and investment opportunities within the sector.
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Advocating for a more structured and formalised system that would create opportunities not only for highly skilled engineers, but also for semi-skilled and unskilled workers involved in construction and engineering-related activities; she noted that engineers still rely heavily on artisans such as welders, iron benders and concrete mixers during project execution, making it important to properly integrate and regulate such categories of workers within the engineering process.
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The branch also launched the Nigerian Society of Engineers Career Accelerated Programme (NIBCAP), an initiative aimed at providing mentorship, structured training and industry exposure for young engineers.