2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Building Collapse: Tackling the Construction Quality Gap in Nigeria

Presented at Broadening Perspectives in Construction Education

Abstract
Rationally, a well-constructed building is anticipated to serve as a haven of comfort, shielding individuals from various fears and stressors. A structure deemed standard should possess the resilience to withstand the test of time, contingent upon the absence of any quality gaps in its construction. Adherence to the lean six-sigma methodology and other safety and ethical standards in the construction stage is imperative for ensuring durability. Unfortunately, this ideal scenario is not universally evident, particularly in certain countries. Nigeria, for example, grapples with a disconcerting surge in building collapses, accompanied by tales of grief, loss, and enduring despair. In spite of the growth in Nigeria's real estate sector, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, with a 1.77% expansion contributing around USD 5.3 billion (5.28% of the real GDP) in the first quarter of 2021, the escalating incidents of building collapses are cause for concern. Comparing building construction in the United States and Nigeria, this study reviews adherence to safety and building regulations in both countries. Data for the study were obtained from survivors, victims, or the Building Collapse Prevention Guidance and other secondary sources. To unveil the root causes of recurrent building collapses, the research investigates the lived experiences of victims, experts, and stakeholders in the sector. The study identifies a disturbing trend of violations of building laws and regulations occurring at various levels and stages of construction. Lack of regard for human lives, compromise, and corruption emerge as the underlying factors behind the escalating number of tragic incidents. The study will provide construction professionals and management with a comprehensive understanding of potential causes and preventive measures to safeguard lives and property. Furthermore, the findings will underscore the significance of prioritizing quality, safety, and the value of human lives in the realm of building construction.

Authors

Mr. Muritala Hassan Ayinla Mr. University of Central Missouri [biography]

Muritala Ayinla is a second-year graduate student at the University of Central Missouri. He is pursuing a master's degree in technology management. He is a seasoned storyteller, researcher, communication scholar, writer, content creator, and award-winning journalist.

While practicing journalism, Muritala has embarked on an array of investigative reporting and human interest stories, especially the recurrent incidences of building collapses in Nigeria. He won the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA), the Nigerian Prestigious Media Award in 2018, and was a finalist for the ZIMEO Excellence Award in Media in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). He was also a member of the media team of the three successive governors of Nigeria’s most populous state and commercial nerve center, Lagos State. He also co-authored books for the immeidate past Vice President of Nigeria and

Before joining the media team of Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as a writer, he also worked for top-ranking Nigerian newspapers such as The Nation, the National Mirror, and the New Telegraph.

Muritala studied mass communication at the University of Ilorin, the University of Lagos, and Lagos State University before coming to the United States to study technology management at the University of Central Missouri.

He is a recipient of the Duane R. Sterling scholarship from Rotary International at the University of Central Missouri and was a graduate assistant at the School of Industrial Sciences and Technology at the university. He is a member of the American Society for Quality, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and other notable organizations.
Dr. MariEtta Joleen Watson University of Central Missouri [biography]

Dr. Watson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Industrial Sciences and Technology Graduate Programs and a graduate faculty member of the Indiana State University Ph.D. in Technology Management consortium program.

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