Lagos building collapses spark concerns as 14 die in Q1 2025

The recent spate of building collapses in Lagos has sparked widespread concern among stakeholders, highlighting the need for urgent attention to address the issue. In the past year, Lagos has witnessed several devastating building collapses, resulting in loss of lives, injuries, and destruction of property. The incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of building […]

The recent spate of building collapses in Lagos has sparked widespread concern among stakeholders, highlighting the need for urgent attention to address the issue.

In the past year, Lagos has witnessed several devastating building collapses, resulting in loss of lives, injuries, and destruction of property.

The incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of building regulations, enforcement, and oversight.

Stakeholders, including architects, engineers, builders, and government officials, have expressed concern over the rising trend, attributing it to a combination of factors such as poor building design, substandard materials, inadequate supervision, and corruption.

These building collapse incidents have led to loss of lives, rendering many displaced, while others suffer lifetime injuries.

 

14 die in Q1 2025

Checks by Daily Trust show that in the first half of 2025, at least six incidents were recorded in Lagos state, which led to the loss of 14 lives, while many were injured.

Daily Trust checks showed that the first building collapse was in the early hours of January 29, when a two-storey building under construction collapsed in the Ikota, Lekki area of Lagos, killing an adult and a boy.

Subsequently, on March 5, two persons were killed and six seriously injured after a three-storey building collapsed in the Odoriwu estate at the Elf Bus stop area of Lagos.

Similarly, a three-storey building housing a bar and restaurant in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos collapsed on April 19.

One person was initially confirmed dead, while nine were rescued alive. But on the third day of search and rescue operations, LASEMA confirmed that a total of 20 individuals had been accounted for, with the death toll increasing to seven.

In the same vein, a storey building under construction collapsed on May 18 at Ishaga Road, opposite Idi Araba Central Mosque, Mushin, Lagos.

While no casualties were recorded in the incident, three adult males were said to have been rescued alive from the debris sustained injuries.

In the same month of May, three people died on May 27 after an uncompleted two-story building collapsed, trapping 14 occupants along Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ota-Ona, in Ikorodu LGA of the state.

One person was initially declared dead shortly after the incident, but two days later, LASEMA said two more bodies were recovered from the rubble.

Similarly, on June 16th, an uncompleted two-storey building caved in at Craig Street in the Shomolu area of Lagos.

While no casualties were recorded, pillars from the collapsed structure fell and damaged parts of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) branch nearby.

Similarly, on September 13, a 3-storey building under construction collapsed at 333 Borrno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, trapping several persons.

Four people, all male, were rescued and taken to the hospital.

The latest incident, which occurred on Thursday, involved a two-storey building in the Alimosho area of Lagos State, but fortunately, rescue efforts were successful in saving five lives.

The two-storey building, located at 4 Modupeola Street, Mangoro Bus Stop, Alimosho, collapsed at about 4 am, trapping several workers beneath the rubble.

Emergency responders and locals quickly sprang into action, launching a frantic search and rescue operation.

After hours of digging through the debris, five survivors were pulled from the wreckage.

According to eyewitnesses, the survivors were rushed to a nearby private hospital for immediate medical attention.

One of the victims, a 44-year-old man, was said to have suffered fractures and bruises and was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Surgical Emergency Unit for further treatment.

The cause of the building collapse is currently unknown, but the Lagos State Government has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials have promised to take necessary actions to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Margaret Adeseye, Controller General, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident.

She said the structure was originally a bungalow before the new owner began converting it into a two-storey building, which was still under construction, while occupants remained on the ground floor.

 

Lagos demolishes Illegal structures at Trade Fair

Worried by the incident of Thursday, the state Government moved to demolish illegal and unsafe structures at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, in a bid to restore order and enforce physical planning laws.

Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, who confirmed the exercise in a post on X, said the operation was targeted at “illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective structures, and buildings erected on road setbacks and drainages.”

According to him, the government could no longer fold its arms while unapproved developments blocked critical infrastructure and endangered lives.

“The Lagos State Government has begun removal of illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals and defective structures, and structures built on road setback and drainages in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo Local Government area,” Gawat said.

The operation was jointly carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.

Bulldozers were seen pulling down marked structures, while some traders and shop owners looked on with concern over the impact on their businesses.