Tony Aspire Kolawole, chairman of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) Lagos Chapter, has called for criminal prosecution of those responsible for recurring building collapses across Lagos State. The demand came after another structure collapsed in the city, raising fresh concerns about construction standards and regulatory enforcement in Nigeria's commercial capital.
REDAN Chairman Speaks Out
Speaking on behalf of the association, Kolawole placed direct blame on systemic compromise within the construction industry and what he described as government failure to enforce existing building codes. The REDAN chairman rejected any notion that developers alone bore responsibility for the crisis.
"This is not simply a case of rogue builders operating outside the system," Kolawole stated. "What we are witnessing is the result of compromise at multiple levels — from approvals to inspections to enforcement."
REDAN represents property developers operating within Lagos, and Kolawole's comments mark a rare instance of industry leadership publicly addressing structural failures in the city.
Pattern of Collapses Draws Concern
Building collapses have become a recurring nightmare for Lagos residents. Emergency officials in the city have responded to multiple incidents in recent months, with some proving fatal. The most recent collapse occurred in a densely populated neighbourhood, where rescue teams worked through the night searching for survivors.
Neighbourhoods across Lagos have experienced these incidents, affecting both planned developments and informal structures. The incidents have left families displaced and grieving, while drawing criticism of the agencies tasked with regulating construction.
The Lekki and Victoria Island districts, where high-rise development has accelerated in recent years, have not been immune to concerns about structural integrity.
Compromise and Corruption Cited
Kolawole pointed to a culture of compromise in the approval process as a key driver of the crisis. Developers, he alleged, have been able to bypass proper channels by paying bribes or leveraging connections to obtain building permits without meeting required standards.
"Some people get approvals because they know someone," the REDAN chairman told reporters. "Inspections are either not conducted or are signed off based on relationships rather than actual site conditions."
REDAN has previously advocated for stricter licensing requirements for developers, arguing that anyone claiming to build properties should demonstrate technical competence and financial capacity.
Government Failure Under Scrutiny
Beyond developer misconduct, Kolawole reserved sharp criticism for government agencies responsible for oversight. He specifically mentioned the failure to maintain adequate inspection teams and the lack of consequences for violations that have been documented.
"The agencies exist on paper, but where is the enforcement?" Kolawole asked. "Buildings have been flagged for violations and nothing happens. People continue building, and then walls come down."
The Lagos State Building Control Agency and the state ministry responsible for physical planning have faced repeated calls to strengthen enforcement mechanisms. Kolawole stopped short of naming individual officials but indicated that those who failed in their duties should face consequences.
Call for Criminal Charges
The REDAN chairman's demand for criminal prosecution goes further than typical industry responses. Rather than calling for regulatory reforms alone, Kolawole insisted that individuals whose negligence leads to collapse should face courts.
"If a building falls and people die, that is a crime," he said. "Someone must answer for it. We cannot continue treating manslaughter as an administrative matter."
The call aligns with pressure from resident groups and professional bodies in the construction sector, who have urged prosecutors to pursue cases against contractors and property owners when structural failures result in casualties.
Industry Self-Regulation Questioned
REDAN's position places the association in an unusual position of distancing itself from practices that have tarnished the developer community. The organisation has its own code of conduct, though enforcement has historically been limited.
Kolawole acknowledged that REDAN members who violate standards should face expulsion from the association. He stopped short of confirming whether any such actions had been taken against developers implicated in collapses.
The Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers has separately called for greater accountability among property professionals involved in construction projects.
What Comes Next
Lagos authorities have indicated that investigations into recent collapses are ongoing. Kolawole and REDAN have called for those investigations to be concluded swiftly and for charges to be filed where evidence supports prosecution.
The state government has faced pressure from the national legislature over building safety standards. A spokesperson said officials were reviewing existing regulations to identify gaps that have allowed substandard construction to proceed.
Residents in affected neighbourhoods say they want more than investigations. They want guarantees that the buildings they live and work in will not collapse around them. Whether enforcement agencies can deliver on that promise remains the central question as Lagos continues its rapid expansion.
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Kolawole stopped short of naming individual officials but indicated that those who failed in their duties should face consequences. What Comes Next Lagos authorities have indicated that investigations into recent collapses are ongoing.
