NIOB Warns Quacks Have No Place in Nigeria’s Building Industry

NIOB Pushes Professional Standards to Curb Building Collapses in Nigeria

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for stronger enforcement of construction standards and decisive action against unqualified practitioners as Nigeria continues to face recurring building collapses.

NIOB President Daniel Kolade made the call at the closing ceremony of the institute’s 56th annual conference in Abuja, where industry professionals examined the role of regulation, professional practice and policy in improving housing delivery and building safety.

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The conference was held under the theme, “Repositioning the Building Profession, Advocacy and Policy Influence in Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment.”

NIOB Calls for Stronger Enforcement

Kolade said government, construction professionals and the public must work together to address quackery within the building industry.

He called on the Federal Government to provide full legal backing for the National Building Code and strengthen its enforcement across the country.

Although some states have adopted the code, NIOB said stronger implementation remains necessary to ensure that approved construction standards translate into safer buildings.

The institute's position comes amid continued concerns over building failures and the quality of construction across Nigeria.

Building Collapses Remain a Major Concern

Kolade questioned whether government interventions after building collapses have sufficiently addressed the underlying causes of structural failures.

He argued that authorities should place greater emphasis on preventing building collapses rather than responding only after incidents occur.

Stronger compliance with approved construction standards, effective site supervision and professional oversight are among the measures that can reduce construction risks.

Building collapses can result in loss of lives, destruction of property and significant financial losses for homeowners, developers and investors.

NIOB Warns Against Unqualified Practitioners

The NIOB president also urged Nigerians to verify the qualifications of professionals before engaging them for construction projects.

He described quacks as individuals who undertake building-related responsibilities without the required training, certification or professional competence.

Such activities can extend across different stages of construction, including design, building and maintenance.

Kolade warned property owners against prioritising lower costs over professional competence, noting that cutting costs by engaging unqualified practitioners can expose buildings and occupants to serious risks.

Qualified Professionals Can Improve Construction Quality

The institute said property owners should engage qualified builders, architects, engineers and other relevant built-environment professionals at appropriate stages of development.

Professional oversight can help identify design deficiencies, poor workmanship, unsuitable materials and other issues that could compromise the structural integrity of a building.

This becomes particularly important as Nigeria seeks to expand housing supply to meet growing demand.

Increasing the number of homes without maintaining adequate construction standards could create additional safety and financial risks.

NIOB Supports Government Housing Programme

Kolade said NIOB remains willing to support the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Housing Initiative.

He called for greater involvement of qualified building professionals in government housing programmes to ensure that projects comply with required construction and safety standards.

The institute also said it would continue working with government and other stakeholders to strengthen the building profession and promote sustainable housing delivery.

Jos North Chairman Calls for Compliance

The Chairman of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, John Christopher, also called for strict compliance with approved building standards.

Christopher stressed the importance of quality housing and urged young construction professionals to embrace innovation while maintaining safety and quality.

He also called for greater adherence to approved building designs and specifications, citing the continued occurrence of building collapses as a reason for stronger enforcement.

He further urged the Federal Government to give greater attention to housing development and affordable shelter.

Regulation Must Keep Pace With Housing Delivery

The NIOB's position highlights a key challenge facing Nigeria's housing sector: increasing supply must go hand in hand with construction quality.

Nigeria needs more homes, but poorly constructed buildings can create long-term liabilities for households, investors and communities.

For developers, compliance with building regulations and the involvement of qualified professionals can increase project costs in the short term, but effective professional oversight can also reduce the risks of structural failure, project disputes and costly remedial work.

Stronger Building Code Enforcement Needed

The call for stronger enforcement of the National Building Code also points to the need for greater coordination among federal and state authorities.

Building regulation largely operates through state and local planning and approval systems, making consistent implementation important for achieving nationwide improvements in construction safety.

Better monitoring, professional certification and enforcement can help close gaps between approved designs and actual construction practices.

Implications for Housing and Real Estate

The issue has direct implications for property owners, developers and investors.

For buyers, engaging qualified professionals can provide greater confidence that a property has undergone appropriate design, construction and inspection processes.

For developers, professional compliance can protect the value of projects and reduce exposure to regulatory action, construction defects and reputational damage.

For investors, stronger building standards can also support the long-term value and sustainability of housing and commercial assets.

Quality Must Accompany Housing Expansion

The housing shortage creates pressure to accelerate construction, but NIOB's warning underscores the importance of maintaining standards during that expansion.

Recent concerns from the Federal Government have similarly focused on poor workmanship, substandard materials and unqualified practitioners as threats to safe housing delivery. At the NIOB's 56th annual conference, government officials also called for stronger quality control, proper material testing and effective site supervision.

This suggests that professional standards are becoming an increasingly important part of Nigeria's broader housing policy conversation.

Outlook

NIOB's warning reinforces the need for Nigeria to treat construction quality and professional accountability as central components of housing delivery.

Stronger enforcement of the National Building Code, greater use of qualified professionals and improved oversight at construction sites could help reduce building failures and protect lives and property.

For the housing sector, the challenge is not simply to build more homes but to ensure that new developments are safe, durable and compliant with established standards. As Nigeria increases housing delivery, maintaining professional standards will remain critical to protecting occupants, investors and the long-term value of the built environment.

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