Lagos launches “Unbreakable Alliance” to end preventable building collapses

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has unveiled a bold initiative aimed at ending the recurring tragedy of building collapses in the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Badagry and Ese-Ofin, Engr. Olayinka Abdul, General Manager of LSMTL, urged artisans, block moulders, concrete mixers, and steel makers to join forces in a pioneering Certified Structural Integrated Programme (CSIP).

“This alliance between LSMTL and you, the lifeblood of our construction industry, starts now. Without you, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every building is safe, sound, and secure,” Abdul said.

The CSIP is structured as a comprehensive five-year assessment programme for standing buildings, combining pre-construction, construction, and post-construction monitoring. Artisans are tasked with producing quality materials, while LSMTL ensures certification through rigorous testing.

Abdul, represented by the Director of Admin and Human Resource, Mr Abayomi Adewunmi, emphasised, “Every single material used in construction must be certified fit-for-purpose. Many collapses are preventable—they often trace back to weak blocks, substandard concrete, or improperly sized steel. This ends today.”

She said key elements of the programme include mandatory sub-soil investigations before permits are issued, destructive testing of materials during construction, and advanced non-destructive testing post-construction using tools like the Pundit and Profoscope to assess structural integrity without causing damage.

The General Manager further highlighted the broader impact: “If a building fails a test, we can trace the failure to its source. Let us be the source of quality, not the source of failure.”

She also announced plans to create a directory of certified artisans and material producers, ensuring builders and developers have access to guaranteed quality services.

Abdul concluded with a powerful call to action: “The choice is simple: we can be part of the problem, or we can be the foundation of the solution. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance for a safer, stronger Lagos.”

Also speaking, the Director of Soil and Geotechnics at LSMTL, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stated that “Genuine research has shown that materials which have been properly tested and certified for building construction possess a lifespan of at least 70 years and above.”

He further advised that “Builders should adopt mechanical innovations in the process of block moulding, as mechanically engineered moulds are far stronger and more durable than manually produced ones.”

Adebayo also emphasized the importance of conducting soil testing on every parcel of land, even those located in proximity, before the commencement of any construction project.

Additionally, the overall Chairman, Lagos State Bricklayers Association (LSBA), Mr Fashina Yusuf Aro, remarked that “We all know Lagos State is largely swampy, with predominantly loose soil, and such terrain requires specific materials to ensure solid foundations and stable buildings.”

He encouraged artisans across the construction value chain to collaborate sincerely with bricklayers, noting that bricklayers often face the greatest scrutiny whenever issues arise in building projects or when a collapse occurs.

He further advised that comprehensive material and soil testing should be conducted by LSMTL before bricklayers commence work on any site.

The discussions at the forum centred on the importance of material quality testing, adherence to engineering standards, and the need for continuous capacity development among construction professionals.

The participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting the Lagos State Government’s vision of a resilient, sustainable, and collapse-free built environment.