The recurring tragedy of building collapse in Lagos once again came under the spotlight today as stakeholders from across Nigeria’s building industry gathered at the University of Lagos for the Professor Leke Oduwaye-Adron Homes Urban Development Dialogue, a high-level forum aimed at addressing regulatory and construction lapses fueling the crisis.

Themed “Recurring Building Collapse in Lagos: The Challenge of Regulatory Oversight and Construction Practices,” the dialogue was organized by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), University of Lagos, in collaboration with real estate giant, Adron Homes.

Delivering goodwill remarks, the Group Chairman of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, KOF, issued a strong call for accountability across the building sector. Describing building collapse as a “tragedy that has become far too familiar,” Aare Adetola Emmanuelking emphasized that such disasters are not acts of fate but direct results of human negligence, greed, and systemic failure.

“Buildings do not collapse by accident. They collapse because somewhere along the chain of planning, approval, construction, or supervision, individuals choose to compromise,” he stated firmly”, he stated.

The respected real estate mogul outlined what he termed the three uncompromising actions needed to combat the menace, Verification, Validation, and Control, stressing that all actors within the building industry must be held to the highest standards of competence and ethical responsibility.

The event featured a thought-provoking guest lecture by Tpl. (Dr.) Idris Salako FNITP, former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development. Drawing from his vast experience, Dr. Salako delivered a hard-hitting analysis of the root causes of building collapse in Lagos. He identified critical gaps such as weak enforcement of development control regulations, poor coordination between regulatory agencies, and widespread disregard for approved building plans by some developers.

Dr. Salako further highlighted how political interference, corruption, and the proliferation of quack professionals continue to erode the integrity of the building sector. He stressed the urgent need for capacity building among regulatory bodies, proper training and certification of artisans, and the full digitalization of building approval processes to ensure transparency and efficiency.

The dialogue also featured keynote addresses by Tpl. Tunji Odunlami FNITP, Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Professor Ayo Omotayo, Director General, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. Both speakers echoed the need for proactive urban planning, robust regulatory frameworks, and collaboration between government, professionals, and private developers to create safer cities.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Tpl. Waheed Kadiri FNITP, PPNITP, Past President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (Chairman of the event), Professor Modupe Omirin, Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, UNILAG, Dr. Taofik Salau, Head of Department, DURP, UNILAG, and Dr. S.A. Adeyemi, Chairman, Organizing Committee, among several others.

Participants unanimously called for urgent reforms to curb building failures, emphasizing the need for professionalism, transparency, and stricter enforcement of building regulations.

The dialogue is expected to spark renewed policy debates and strategic actions toward ensuring that Lagos, and indeed Nigeria, builds safe, resilient, and sustainable urban spaces where lives are protected, and dreams can thrive.

The Federal Government has scheduled July 23 and 24, 2025, for a national stakeholder forum aimed at addressing rising concerns surrounding petrol pricing and supply issues in the downstream sector, amid increasing pressure from independent marketers for price regulation.

The summit, which is being organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, will gather industry players, marketers, refiners, and government representatives to discuss petroleum pricing standards, feedstock availability, and measures to stabilise the deregulated market.

Francis Ogaree, the Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installation and Transportation Infrastructure at the NMDPRA, confirmed the summit’s dates during the recently concluded 24th Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week held in Abuja.

He also stressed the importance of dialogue to create a sustainable pricing framework in the post-subsidy environment. It should be noted that petroleum marketers have raised concerns about unexpected changes in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, particularly without prior notification from the Dangote refinery.

Billy Gillis-Harry, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, has consistently advocated for a stable market and reliable energy supply, calling for mechanisms to evaluate price changes and protect the industry from negative impacts.

Gillis-Harry also emphasised the need for transparent pricing, especially concerning the effect of Dangote’s price cuts on retailers who may have bought petrol at higher rates. He called for fair pricing practices and urged an end to unfair industry practices.

Likewise, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria last month criticised the current petroleum pricing structure, accusing marketers of taking advantage of Nigerians with inflated pump prices. The association insisted that the current petrol price should fall between N700 and N750 per litre.

In response, Ogaree stated that the NMDPRA recognises the operational uncertainties affecting industry stakeholders and has taken significant steps to standardise pricing and attract more investments in local refining.

Speaking during the panel session titled, “Building a resilient and competitive refining sector”, he said, “We are engaging stakeholders at our forum, where we address the issues and proffer solutions. I would like to remind you that the NMDPRA has only been in existence for three and a half years. And in that period, we have achieved giant strides in the number of licenses we have given and in addressing the issues.

“Even on the issue of petroleum pricing, which is another one that we are facing now and relates to standardisation. It is a work in progress, and that is why at the latter part of this month, exactly on July 23 to 24, a two-day event, we will be talking about petrol pricing. Again, that is to allay some fears and put in some standards. The issue of pricing, everyone knows that it is a sensitive one and peculiar from one country to another, and the authority is working.”

On the topic of refining capacity and supply security, Ogaree disclosed that Nigeria currently has 10 refineries that are either operational or close to starting operations, including the three NNPC refineries, the 650,000bpd Dangote refinery, and six modular refineries.

He explained that some upcoming refineries will require between 1,000 and 200,000 barrels per day and are projected to begin operations by 2026.

“We have about 10 refineries right now. The three Nigerian National Petroleum Company refineries. We have Dangote refinery and six modular refineries. When I look at the combined capacity for those refineries, we need about 1,124,000 barrels per day.”

However, he pointed out that the success of the downstream sector depends largely on having enough crude oil feedstock to serve the growing number of licensed refineries.

“We know our current production capacity. These are just operating refineries. When I think about new refineries coming up very soon. Some of them need 200,000 barrels to 1,000 barrels, and I compute them together. Some of them would be on onstream by 2026.

“You know that this number of barrels has to grow, and there has to be more production if we are to meet up. The apparent fear, and I must be sincere, is on the feedstock. We have given out 47 licenses, all of which are to do establishments, construction, and they all go into operation. We must be able to meet their demands when they all go on stream.”

The senate is set to commence a two-day zonal public hearing in Lagos on Friday regarding the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

The session, scheduled to take place at Water Crest Hotel, Ikeja, will focus on several proposals, such as the creation of state police, electoral reforms, power devolution, and the establishment of 18 additional LGAs.

Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader and chairman of the constitution review committee for the south-west zone, announced the details of the hearing through a statement issued on Thursday.

Bamidele explained that the forum would provide Nigerians an opportunity to express their opinions on vital governance issues in the country.

Similar hearings are planned across the other geopolitical zones, except in the north-west, where the event was postponed due to the death of Kano billionaire and philanthropist Aminu Alhassan Dantata.

The constitution review committee, which was inaugurated on February 14, 2024, is chaired by Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, with Bamidele serving as vice-chairman.

Comprising 45 senators, the committee has received over 50 proposals addressing reforms in governance, restructuring, the judiciary, fiscal federalism, traditional institutions, and electoral processes.

Among the major proposals is a bill for the creation of state police and state government security agencies, along with a constitutional provision for a state security council to advise governors on matters of internal security.

Other bills advocate the introduction of independent candidacy at all election levels, clearly defined roles for traditional rulers, and diaspora voting.

REFORMS SEEK DEVOLUTION OF POWER, FISCAL AUTONOMY

Additional proposals aim to transfer key items such as labour, industrial disputes, and minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list, granting states greater autonomy in policy decisions.

Bamidele stated, “There is a proposal bill to transfer control of interstate waterways from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby granting both the federal and state governments the power to legislate on matters relating to shipping and navigation on interstate waterways.”

He also noted, “There is a proposal to ensure that every local government in each state has at least one member representing the local government in the House of Assembly to ensure equity, fairness and attract democratic dividends to inhabitants of each local government of the State.”

Fiscal reform proposals include reducing the period within which the president or a governor can authorise withdrawals from the consolidated revenue fund without an appropriation act from six months to three months.

Other suggestions focus on adjusting the derivation formula to incorporate additional revenue sources generated within states.

Another bill aims to mandate political parties to settle pre-election disputes internally instead of taking them to court.

‘COMMITTEE RECEIVES 31 STATE CREATION, 18 LG REQUESTS’

Bamidele revealed that the committee has received 18 requests for the creation of new LGAs and 31 for new states.

Among the state creation requests, six are from the north-west, eight from the north-central, six from the north-east, six from the south-south, five from the south-east, and four from the south-west.

For LGA creation, there are seven requests from the north-west, five from the north-central, one from the north-east, three from the south-south, one from the south-east, and one from the south-west.