The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for stricter enforcement of the National Building Code and mandatory engagement of registered builders in construction projects to tackle the persistent incidence of building collapses in Nigeria.
The institute also urged the government to strengthen housing policies, expand access to affordable housing finance and promote local production of quality building materials as part of measures to address the country’s housing deficit.
President of the NIOB, Bldr. Daniel Abimbola Kolade, made the call yesterday in Abuja while speaking at the 2026 Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting of the institute.
Speaking on the theme, “Repositioning the Building Profession: Advocacy and Policy Influence on Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment,” Kolade said addressing Nigeria’s housing crisis required more than increasing the number of housing units.
He said greater attention must be paid to the quality, safety, durability and environmental sustainability of buildings.
According to him, rapid urbanisation, population growth, inadequate infrastructure, rising construction costs, limited access to affordable finance and weak enforcement of building regulations have continued to widen the country’s housing gap.
He said builders had a critical role to play because they coordinate construction processes, supervise workmanship, manage resources and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Kolade expressed concern over the increasing cases of building collapse, attributing many of the incidents to poor supervision, substandard materials, non-compliance with regulations and the engagement of unqualified practitioners.
He said, “Our voices must be heard in all decision-making processes affecting the built environment.”
The NIOB president called for policies to strengthen enforcement of the National Building Code, mandate the engagement of registered builders on construction projects and promote quality assurance throughout the building process.
He also advocated expanded access to affordable housing finance, greater use of public-private partnerships, increased support for research and technological innovation, and improved training and certification of artisans through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
On sustainability, Kolade said Nigeria’s buildings must become more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change.
He added that the institute was investing in professional education, continuing professional development, artisan assessment and certification, recognition of prior learning, research and innovation.
The NIOB president disclosed that the institute, in partnership with Family Homes Limited, had trained and certified more than 700 artisans in various trades across the country, while another 30 inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, were undergoing tiling training through its partnership with West African Ceramics Limited.
He said the initiatives demonstrated that the building profession could contribute not only to physical infrastructure but also to skills development, employment creation, rehabilitation and social reintegration.
Kolade also highlighted the construction of a skills laboratory at Zhidu, Abuja, named the Bldr Francis Nwifuru Laboratory, describing it as an investment in practical skills acquisition, competency-based assessment, research and innovation.
He said the facility, when fully operational, would provide training for artisans, technicians and young builders while supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen TVET.
The NIOB president further disclosed that the institute had renovated and upgraded its conference room at its national secretariat in Abuja and renamed it the Builder Yohanna Izam Conference Room in honour of a former president.
He said the institute would continue to collaborate with government agencies, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, development partners and other professional bodies to promote safe, affordable and sustainable housing delivery.
Kolade urged builders to move beyond technical competence and become active participants in policymaking through evidence-based advocacy, legislative engagement and public education.
“As builders, we are not merely constructors of physical structures—we are builders of communities, builders of institutions, builders of opportunities, and builders of the nation’s future,” he said.
He called for greater unity among built-environment professionals, stressing that architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, estate surveyors and valuers, planners and builders must work together to improve standards in the construction industry.
The conference, which brings together professionals, policymakers, government officials, academics and industry stakeholders, is expected to examine challenges confronting Nigeria’s housing and construction sectors and develop strategies for improving the built environment.
