The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for stronger collaboration among built environment professionals and regulatory agencies to promote a more sustainable and resilient building sector in the country.

The Chairman of the NIOB, Lagos State Chapter, Rasheed Owolabi, made the call during a courtesy visit by the institute’s executive members to the management of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to invite the agency to the 35th Lagos Builders’ Conference, scheduled to hold in October.

The conference, themed: ‘Smart Building Processes in the Digital Age: Procurement, Monitoring, Control and Quality Management for Sustainable Construction’, is expected to bring together industry stakeholders to examine the role of digital technologies in improving construction quality, project delivery and sustainability.

Owolabi said the conference would provide opportunities for continuous professional development for the agency’s builders and technical officers, while facilitating knowledge sharing on emerging trends, innovations, and best practices in the construction industry.

He commended the General Manager of LASBCA, Florence Gbaye, for her leadership and commitment to advancing the agency’s regulatory mandate since assuming office, noting that her efforts have strengthened professionalism and operational efficiency in building control administration.

The institute also lauded LASBCA’s contributions to improving regulation, safety and sustainability within Lagos State’s building sector and the country’s construction industry.

Responding, the General Manager of LASBCA, Florence Gbaye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with professional bodies in the built environment.

She observed that the conference theme aligns with the Lagos State Government’s ongoing digital transformation agenda in physical planning and building control, particularly through the recently introduced Electronic Physical Planning Permit System (EPPPS).

According to her, the digital platform enables property owners and developers to process applications for building permits and other statutory approvals seamlessly from their homes or offices.

Gbaye noted that the conference would provide a valuable platform to educate stakeholders and the public on the benefits of technology-driven processes in building approvals, project monitoring and construction management.

“Deliberations at the conference will undoubtedly enhance public awareness and encourage wider adoption of digital solutions across the built environment sector,” she said.

She assured the institute of LASBCA’s full support for the conference and urged the NIOB to sustain its cordial working relationship with the agency.

According to her, the professional expertise and technical contributions of builders remain indispensable to the successful delivery of LASBCA’s mandate to ensure safe, secure, and sustainable building development across Lagos State.