Taraba Architects reveal causes of incessant building collapse in Nigeria
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
Members of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) Taraba State Chapter, have attributed the cause of frequent building collapse in Taraba State and Nigeria at large to the activities of quacks who have infiltrated the profession
Speaking at the 2025 Annual General Meeting and 10th Anniversary Celebration of the institute held at Blue Nile Suites Jalingo, members of the institute lamented that, building designs and other building processes which should be handled by professionals have been hijacked by quacks, especially with the advent of new technology
The Architects called on government and professional regulatory bodies to wake up to their responsibilities and save innocent lives being wasted as a result of frequent collapse of buildings across the country
Presenting a paper at the occasion, Arch Bulus Umar Bello of the Taraba State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure development, stressed the urgent need for architects to wake up to their responsibilities and take their rightful positions as leaders in the building industry across the country
Arc Umar said there was a lacuna created by architects in the country through lack of licence and registration to practice as professionals and “this has created a room for others to take over their roles in the building industry”.
He called on the government to ensure that only confirmed registered members of the profession are engaged in taking responsibilities in designing and building structures, adding that most of the building materials used nowadays, do not meet up with the standard set by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).
Arc Umar further noted that it was only by engaging only the licensed and registered professionals that such sharp practices would be controlled because all Architects, know they have something to loss when a building they designed collapsed
Speaking exclusively with Journalists at the occasion, Arc. Hadizah Bello Yero, permanent secretary, Ministry of Work and Infrastructures, stated that most buildings that collapsed in Nigeria do so because, members of NIA are not involved in the design and supervision stages.
“Our profession has been hijacked by quacks,” she lamented. “With the advent of new technology, including Artificial Intelligence, anyone who can handle a computer can manipulate and get what they want”. She added.
Arc Hadiza Bello, called on the government to make and enforce stringent laws to ensure that building processes are handle by professionals from the design level to the final stage, even as she cautioned members who sometimes “cut corners,” to desist from such misconducts and always follow the lay down rules and regulations before submitting designs to clients.
On his part, the chapter chairman, Arc Ibrahim Muhammad, advised the general public, especially those financing construction works to ensure that they always engage trained professionals who are certified by the regulatory bodies before setting up any building
Meanwhile, the 2025 Annual General Meeting and 10th Anniversary Celebration which rounded up with a buffet dinner night and award presentations, witnessed inauguration of new executives to pilot the affairs of the institute for yet another 2 years tenure
