Lagos classifies 360 buildings as distressed as LASBCA widens safety drive
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The Lagos State Building Control Agency says 360 buildings across the state have been classified as distressed structures, as the agency presses ahead with removing unsafe buildings.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has classified 360 buildings across Lagos State as distressed structures, its General Manager, Florence Gbaye, said at the weekend.
Gbaye disclosed the figure in a goodwill message at the annual lecture and awards of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEVAN) in Ikeja, Lagos, held on Wednesday. The event was themed 'Re-imagining Housing in Nigeria: Sustainability, Facility Management and Innovative Building Materials'.
"And we have a lot of buildings that are distressed. Like we published some months ago, over 350-360 buildings have been identified as distressed structures," she said, adding that the government was doing everything possible to remove such buildings in order to save lives and property.
The LASBCA boss also urged young Nigerians to begin planning for homeownership early, arguing that owning a house should not be seen as unattainable because of rising property costs. She said access to information, early financial planning and the range of housing options available could make ownership achievable, and suggested that starting at about age 30 would leave several decades to spread payments through manageable monthly contributions.
She stressed the role of building regulations and professional oversight, noting that agencies such as the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority ensure projects comply with approved planning requirements, and that developers and individuals must obtain the necessary approvals before construction begins. She called on built-environment professionals, journalists and members of the public to report buildings that violate construction rules or pose safety risks, saying the regulations were not intended to frustrate property owners but to safeguard families, investments and the wider community.
In her welcome address, PEVAN Chairman Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie said Nigeria's housing crisis was being fuelled by rapid urbanisation, population growth, escalating construction costs, inadequate infrastructure and limited affordable housing, leaving decent ownership or rental accommodation beyond the reach of millions. She argued that the response must go beyond building more houses to smarter planning, sustainable construction, innovative financing and policies that reach low- and middle-income earners, including natural ventilation, energy-efficient lighting, solar power and rainwater harvesting to cut running costs.