Demolition and Collapse of Buildings in Lagos: Who Is Really to Blame?

In the heart of Lagos, where dreams rise with every new skyline and hopes are built brick by brick, the sound of crashing concrete has become too familiar.

Not the sound of progress—but of pain. Another building collapses. Another community watches as bulldozers roll in. Another family is left in tears, staring at the rubble of what was once a home, a shop, a life.

But the lingering question remains: Who is to blame?

Let’s rewind.

The Story of Mama Ebere

Mama Ebere moved to Lagos from Anambra 25 years ago. A small-time trader with a big dream, she saved every kobo she could. Eventually, she bought a small plot in a developing area of Lagos. The land was cheap, the foundation shaky, but the agent swore everything was “genuine.” No title, no proper approval—but hope is a powerful thing.

Years later, her four-room structure stood proud. It wasn’t perfect, but it was hers—until one early morning when the sound of iron against stone jolted her awake. Her home was marked for demolition. No notice. No compensation. Just a government task force and a cold explanation: “Illegal development.”

Was she careless? Maybe. Was she misled? Definitely. But is she the only one responsible?

Layers of Blame

1. The Government: The Enforcer or the Enabler?

   Regulations exist. Urban planning departments have clear mandates. But enforcement often happens after a tragedy. Corruption, inefficiency, or outright neglect allows illegal buildings to rise until they become death traps. Then, when disaster strikes, the government plays the role of the righteous enforcer. Yet, where were the regulators when the first brick was laid?

2. Developers and Land Speculators

   Many developers cut corners—using substandard materials, bypassing building codes, or constructing on wetlands and flood-prone areas. Why? To maximise profit. They count on weak enforcement and desperate buyers. In many cases, they know the property has no title or approval, but they sell it anyway.

3. Quack Engineers and Greedy Contractors

   Buildings collapse not just from bad luck, but from bad engineering. A structure designed to be two stories becomes five. Reinforcements are skipped. Supervision is minimal. And when it all comes crashing down, so do innocent lives.

4. The Buyers and Owners

   Yes, the people also have a role to play. Out of desperation or ignorance, many bypass due diligence. No building approval? No title document? No soil test? Still, they build—sometimes because they have no choice, often because they don’t know better.

So… Who Is to Blame?

Everyone. And no one.

It’s a web of failure—systemic, intentional, and sometimes accidental. But if we must find a starting point, it begins with the system. A city like Lagos, bursting at the seams with 20+ million people, cannot afford to be reactive. Urban planning must be proactive, transparent, and consistent. Regulations must be enforced with fairness—not only after a collapse or when a poor man’s house is the easiest to target.

The Way Forward

• Public Awareness: Every property buyer should be empowered with knowledge. Know your rights. Know your documents.
• Stricter Enforcement: Not after the building is completed, but from day one. Stop construction early, not lives later.
• Punishment for Corruption: Any government official who approves or ignores a faulty structure should be held accountable.
• Responsible Building Practices: Developers and contractors must be certified. And if they cheat, they must pay.

Until these things happen, the headlines will not change. More buildings will fall. More lives will be lost. And the question of blame will keep echoing in the dust and debris of a broken city.

But Lagos deserves better. Its people deserve better.

And the time to act is NOW.