Experts in the built environment assert that an accidental collision with a truck cannot cause the total collapse of a properly constructed building. Yet the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) claimed in a statement that the recent collapse of a seven‑storey building on 1st Avenue in the Banana Island area of Ikoyi, Lagos State, was the result of a truck striking the structure. The agency’s report read: “Upon the arrival of the LASEMA response team at the scene, a seven‑storey building under construction was found to have collapsed. Information gathered revealed that the building collapsed as a result of a truck that ran into the building. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. However, efforts are ongoing to reconstruct the building from ground zero to forestall any secondary incident.”
The Principal Architect of AD Consulting, Olajumoke Adenowo, disputed LASEMA’s explanation, arguing that the narrative of a cement truck hitting a single column is flawed. “A cement truck running into one column cannot bring down a properly designed and executed structure the way this one came down. A building does not rest all its load on one singular column. This is the beginning of a narrative to exonerate culpable parties,” she said.
In an exclusive interview, architect Sogo Oyesode echoed this view, stating that a truck cannot hit one column and cause an entire building to crumble. “The building was already structurally stressed; it was only a matter of time before it would have collapsed with or without the impact of any vehicle. It is better that the building collapsed now than later, when more people would be inside and casualties would be far greater,” he explained. “An accidental truck collision cannot trigger the level of collapse observed. Such a collapse would require intentional, repeated impacts on multiple sides of the building, indicating a deliberate demolition effort.”
Adenowo also highlighted a broader problem: the failure of many Nigerians to engage qualified professionals contributes to the frequency of building collapses. “Clients get what they pay for. Many Nigerians are unwilling to pay the appropriate fees for standard professional services, preferring to work with ‘professionals’ who will accept any amount. Those who cut corners on fees will cut corners on the project and profit elsewhere at the client’s expense. Hiring competent professionals should be done as one would hire a good neurosurgeon—through referrals, not trial and error. Some clients simply copy designs they like, and many professionals promise but do not deliver. Ultimately, it is the client’s responsibility to hire competent professionals and exercise due diligence.”
Finally, Adenowo called on the agencies tasked with regulating construction safety to step up, noting that gaps in the system have allowed such failures to occur.
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