Ewe Chinedum Evans advocates intelligent monitoring systems to curb building collapse

Infrastructure development advocate, Chinedum Evans , has urged the integration of intelligent monitoring systems into buildings across Nigeria, warning that the absence of embedded early-warning mechanisms is contributing to recurring structural failures nationwide. Evans said many buildings exhibit warning signs long before collapse, but the lack of real-time monitoring allows minor structural issues to escalate […]

Infrastructure development advocate, Chinedum Evans , has urged the integration of intelligent monitoring systems into buildings across Nigeria, warning that the absence of embedded early-warning mechanisms is contributing to recurring structural failures nationwide.

Evans said many buildings exhibit warning signs long before collapse, but the lack of real-time monitoring allows minor structural issues to escalate into major and often fatal problems.

“Buildings rarely fail without signals,” he said. “A vibrating beam, overheating electrical panels, rising humidity behind walls or gradual heat stress are indicators. The problem is that most structures are not designed to detect and respond to these signals in real time.”

He explained that most property owners rely on reactive maintenance — intervening only after visible damage or outright failure — rather than adopting predictive systems that detect stress patterns at early stages.

To address this gap, Chinedum proposed a framework known as AfaSense, which integrates sensing technology, artificial intelligence, climate-responsive materials and automated safety systems into a unified structure described as a building “nervous system.”

According to him, the model is inspired by biological systems where receptors detect pressure, heat and vibration and transmit signals for processing before damage spreads.

He said the framework operates on two layers — a Structural Nervous System and an Environmental Nervous System.

“The structural component monitors vibration patterns, load stress and early signs of material fatigue, while the environmental layer tracks air quality, temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, airflow stability, water pressure and occupancy density,” he said.

Chinedum added that data generated from the systems would be transmitted in real time to artificial intelligence platforms capable of analysing patterns, identifying anomalies and issuing early warnings.

He noted that such an approach would enable predictive maintenance, allowing property owners to service facilities when stress indicators first appear rather than waiting for breakdowns or adhering strictly to fixed maintenance schedules.

He also stressed the importance of climate-responsive material deployment, particularly in regions exposed to seasonal dust infiltration and intense solar radiation.

“In parts of northern Nigeria, buildings face heavy dust pressure. Facades can incorporate filtration-enhanced materials and improved sealing systems. In areas exposed to high solar gain, high thermal-mass or insulated materials can reduce heat absorption and stabilise indoor temperatures,” he said.

Evans further advocated intelligent emergency systems capable of dynamically adjusting evacuation routes during fire incidents, restricting access to hazardous zones and issuing real-time alerts to occupants and emergency responders.

He argued that Nigeria’s infrastructure challenge extends beyond structural capacity to what he described as a reactive maintenance culture.

“We repair after damage. We replace after failure. Embedding intelligence shifts us from reactive intervention to predictive resilience,” he said.

He maintained that with rapid urban expansion, climate variability and rising replacement costs, intelligent architecture should be viewed as an economic necessity rather than a luxury.

According to him, reduced emergency repairs, extended equipment lifespan and lower cooling demand could significantly strengthen long-term urban resilience across the country.