The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has urged building owners, estate developers, facility managers, and the public to implement maintenance control measures in structures to avert building collapse.

President of CORBON, Dr Samson Opaluwah, who gave the charge yesterday, in the 2026 rainy season advisory by the Council, said that preventive maintenance is far more cost-effective than emergency repairs, warning that blocked drains, neglected roofs and poor site management significantly increase the risk of flooding and structural failures.

The Council said it had reviewed the 2026 seasonal climate prediction released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) with forecasts indicating early to normal onset of rains, extended rainy seasons in several states, above-normal rainfall in key regions, and severe dry spells in others.

These conditions, he said, present heightened risks to buildings, infrastructure, and human safety across the country.

“As the statutory regulatory body for the building profession in Nigeria, CORBON hereby issues this national advisory to building owners, estate developers, facility managers, and the general public. The aim is to prevent avoidable losses and ensure the resilience and safety of the built environment during the 2026 rainy season.

Key risks identified for 2026 include longer-than-normal rainy season in Lagos, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Anambra, Kwara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe and Taraba, above-normal rainfall in Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Enugu, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” the Council said.

CORBON further cautioned against severe dry spells in Oyo, Ogun, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, noting the increased likelihood of flooding, erosion, roof damage, foundation distress and service disruptions to buildings.

The Council advised building and estate owners to pay attention to the roof and building envelope, repair loose roofing sheets, damaged trusses, and leaking joints, clear roof gutters, ensure proper roof pitch, reinforce flashing and waterproof membranes. It urged attention to drainage and flood prevention, desilting gutters, downpipes, culverts, and estate drains.

It, therefore, stressed the need for operatives to re-grade surfaces to channel water away from buildings, install flood barriers in low-lying or flood-prone areas, and ensure foundations and structural Safety.

“Operatives should inspect for cracks, settlement, and erosion. Stabilise wet areas with laterite, gravel, or geotextiles. Check retaining walls for hydrostatic pressure buildup. Elevate generators and electrical panels above flood levels, waterproof external conduits and junction boxes and test sump pumps and ensure backup power availability. Monitor dampness and indoor air quality, improve ventilation and apply anti-mould coatings.

Inspect basements and wet areas for moisture intrusion, ” CORBON said.

Opaluwah, however, emphasised the need for landscaping and external works, pruning trees and removing unstable branches, reinforcing embankments in erosion-prone areas and maintaining permeable surfaces to reduce runoff pressure.

He also called for professional guidance, inspections and implementation of the advisory, adding that CORBON strongly encourages all property owners and estate managers to consult only registered builders certified by the Council, protect investment and safeguard communities.