The Nigerian House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over allegations that it reversed its decision to shut down 18 companies involved in producing and distributing substandard building materials, particularly iron rods.
This decision comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s rising building collapse crisis, which has resulted in loss of lives and property.
Rising Building Collapses and Weak Enforcement Measures
Billy Osawaru, an Edo lawmaker who sponsored the motion, urged the House to demand stronger enforcement from SON. He stressed the urgent need to eliminate fake and substandard building materials from the Nigerian market. Without strict quality control measures, he warned, unsafe construction practices will continue to endanger public safety. According to him, weak regulatory oversight and the influx of inferior materials are major contributors to Nigeria’s high building collapse rate.
Citing data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Osawaru revealed that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024. Lagos accounted for 56% of these cases, recording 13 incidents, while Abuja followed with six collapses, representing 4.37% of the total. He further disclosed that within the first months of 2025, at least three additional building collapses have already led to multiple deaths and injuries.
Osawaru expressed deep concern over reports that SON reversed its decision to shut down the 18 companies implicated in producing substandard materials. Allegedly, the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment influenced this reversal, sparking widespread criticism over the government’s commitment to enforcing quality standards. Osawaru warned that if left unchecked, these companies will continue to exploit weak enforcement mechanisms, flooding the market with low-quality materials, while exporting higher-quality products to countries with stricter regulations.
Lawmakers Push for Strict Regulations
Studies indicate that 53% of building collapses in Nigeria result from poor-quality materials and unskilled labor. Most affected buildings are private residential structures executed by local contractors who cut corners to maximize profits. The consequences have been devastating, Osawaru lamented, leading to countless preventable deaths.
The House of Representatives has now resolved to conduct a full-scale investigation into SON’s regulatory failures. Lawmakers will examine the agency’s enforcement practices, scrutinize its decision-making processes, and hold responsible parties accountable for compromising safety standards. The investigation aims to introduce strong recommendations to tackle Nigeria’s substandard building material crisis.
This probe could become a defining moment for Nigeria’s construction industry, testing the government’s resolve to protect its citizens from preventable disasters. If negligence or regulatory failure is uncovered, SON and other relevant agencies may face intense scrutiny and pressure to implement stricter oversight across the sector.
