In light of Nigeria’s concerning building collapse rate, civil/structural engineer Yemi Oyewumi has advocated for more stringent laws and training for construction industry professionals.
Speaking with Priscimedia, the CEO of MICKEYGOLD International Limited emphasized the need for all states to replicate the stringent measures implemented by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
“Lagos State is doing well, and I think a lot of other states are trying to emulate what Lagos State is doing,” Oyewumi said.
“I encourage all the states in Nigeria to have a department like the Lagos State Building Control Agency.”
Lagos has taken significant steps to ensure accountability in construction.
According to Oyewumi, before any building project begins, professionals handling the construction must submit their certificates for verification.
Additionally, structural engineers are required to sign a letter of indemnity, taking responsibility for the building’s structural integrity.
“That letter is submitted to the Lagos State Building Control Agency’s headquarters, and then Lagos State will send their team for an inspection,” he explained.
“After that inspection is done, you’re given the go-ahead the authorization to cast, to pour concrete.”
If a building collapses, those responsible are held accountable.
Oyewumi stressed that professionals who fail to uphold safety standards must face consequences.
“If anything goes wrong, whoever took responsibility for it, whoever that professional is, will be gone after,” he stated.
In severe cases where lives are lost, the state takes decisive action.
“If a building collapses and there’s a casualty for example or a death case Lagos State takes over the land.”
Despite existing regulations, the industry is still plagued by unqualified builders.
Oyewumi expressed concerns over the frequent misidentification of artisans as engineers.
“The construction industry is crowded with a lot of people who call themselves professionals when they are not,” he said.
“You will find people on-site calling their carpenters and masons engineers, which is very inappropriate.”
This misrepresentation, he noted, contributes to poor construction quality and eventual building failures.
He urged the public to recognize the importance of hiring certified professionals and to stop using titles loosely.
“Whenever we go to any of those sites and find you calling a nonprofessional by the names that we should be called, we ensure that it is corrected,” he added.
Furthermore, Oyewumi pointed out that Nigeria is facing a growing shortage of skilled labor in construction.
He recalled a conversation with an artisan in 2001 who predicted the labor gap due to young people seeking quick wealth rather than learning technical skills.
“Those who should have stayed back to acquire construction skills are riding Okada (motorcycles) to make quick money,” he said.
“Some won’t go to school they want to learn fraud, what they call Yahoo Yahoo or Yahoo Plus.”
To address this challenge, Oyewumi called for more government-sponsored training programs for young people in construction.
“Our government should create more avenues to train young people in this field,” he stated, adding that he hopes to set up a workshop for practical training.
He also emphasized the need for public education, particularly for illiterate property owners, about the dangers of hiring unqualified builders.
“We need to do a lot more orientation,” he said.
“I was at a town hall meeting in Bariga when the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency organized a one-month sensitization program, and I was invited to speak about building collapses and mitigation.”
Public campaigns, he noted, should leverage social and traditional media to reach a wider audience and raise awareness.
Another major challenge in the industry is the rising cost of construction materials.
Oyewumi described it as “a big challenge,” stating that unpredictable price fluctuations have complicated project planning.
To counter this, MICKEYGOLD International Limited now procures most of its materials in advance.
“Before we engage in any new contract, we ensure that a big chunk of the materials is procured and delivered to the site before construction starts,” he said.
He also shared insights from working in different states, noting the unique challenges in various regions.
In Calabar, he observed that workers refused to negotiate their rates.
“They have a fixed price, and instead of negotiating, they pick up their tools and walk away,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Gombe, he noticed that small alleys were built between every two properties, a practice uncommon in other states.
He further advised aspiring construction professionals to prioritize quality and industry improvement over immediate financial gain.
“Think about this venture as a problem-solving venture. Think about how you can make the built industry a better place, not just about the money,” he said.
“The gains will come eventually, but think about doing it right.” He stated.
For those in need of professional construction services, MICKEYGOLD International Limited offers structural and architectural designs, as well as consultancy services.
Email: mickeygold376@gmail.com
Phone: 0908-168-0605, 0813-156-0516
“We will be glad to help you whether it’s to build or design,” Oyewumi assured.
