Lagos, coalition urge behavioural change to mitigate building collapse

• As stakeholders worry over illegal structures in govt schemes
The Lagos State government and a coalition of development partners comprising the Policy Innovation Centre, BiNTA Fellowship, Nigerian Economic Summit Group and Integrity Organisation, have canvassed behavioural change as one of the solutions to building collapse.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Olalekan Shodeinde, led the call at a workshop entitled: “Nudging Ethics: Behavioural Insights for a Better Built Environment” in Lagos. He said that “by leveraging behavioural science, we could create environments that encourage ethical choices, enhance transparency, and strengthen accountability for the betterment of the society.”

He lamented the devastating consequences of unethical practices and poor compliance culture but stressed that the built environment would fare better with the identification and application of behavioural insights in addressing notable challenges, including building collapse.

“The built environment is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about people, principles, and policies that shaped cities and communities that we all live,” he said.

Shodeinde emphasised that building collapse, loss of lives, and economic setbacks were preventable incidences, if people could change their mentality about physical planning compliance and build right.

“The theme speaks directly to a crucial aspect of governance and professional practices; how human behaviour influences compliance and decision-making, as well as the overall industry integrity. The workshop is a right step in the right direction, as it brings together policy experts, regulators, and built environment professionals to explore practical strategies to drive sustainable, safe, and resilient urban development in the Lagos State,” he said.

The Team Leader of Policy Innovative Centre (PIC), Femi Obidare, said that the goal of the group was to support the state government’s policies and programme using behavioural insights, having successfully supported other states through their different sectors, including education, youth, energy and procurement.

He said that their focus on the built environment was informed by the fact that the state was the hub of building construction and the epicentre of building collapse. “To make building collapse a thing of the past in Lagos State, we will engage with professionals using behavioural insights,” he said.

MEANWHILE, the Lagos State Lands Bureau has held a stakeholders’ meeting with residents of Egan-Akesan in the Alimosho local council. The meeting aims to address concerns regarding illegal structures within designated government residential schemes.

The forum organised by the Lands Bureau’s Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC) focused on how to audit untitled properties within these government schemes.

Executive Secretary of the Land Use and Allocation Committee, Mrs Ololade Ajetumobi, highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring all properties are properly titled to prevent them from becoming dead assets.

Represented by a Director from LUAC, Mr Alawaye, she urged residents to support efforts aimed at enforcing compliance with regulations.

At the interactive session, community members who used the opportunity to engage government officials sought clarification on the initiative and shared their perspectives on the importance of proper land titling in their community.