₦airaland Forum

By Rasheed Olayinka Ajirotutu

Disaster resilience in construction is an increasingly crucial factor in urban planning and infrastructure development, particularly in countries like Nigeria, which has been plagued by a myriad of environmental disasters ranging from floods and fires to building collapses. In recent years, several high-profile disasters, including flooding in Borno, structural failures, and market fires, have underscored the urgent need for a more resilient approach in the construction sector.

The Context: Recent Disasters in Nigeria

Nigeria's challenges with disasters have been accentuated in recent years. In 2023, floods in Borno State caused significant destruction, displacing thousands and destroying homes and infrastructure. The narrative of Borno's floods is not just about the immediate loss; it's also about long-term resilience and the lessons learned for construction practices.

The collapse of several buildings under construction in Nigeria in 2024 further highlighted structural vulnerabilities and the danger posed by inadequate regulations and enforcement. These incidents, often attributed to subpar materials, lack of professional oversight, and corruption, have drawn attention to the urgent need for disaster-resilient construction methods.

Additionally, fire outbreaks in major markets across Nigeria have raised questions about building choices and safety regulations. Often constructed with flammable materials and lacking adequate fire exits, these market structures pose significant risks to vendors and consumers alike.

Amid all these challenges, the federal government's approval for the construction of a multi-purpose dam in Benue State to control flooding along the River Dura is a positive initiative aimed at mitigating some of these disasters. However, while such infrastructural projects are promising, they need to be part of a broader strategy that addresses construction practices at the building level.


Flood Disasters and Construction Resilience

The floods in Borno State provide a sobering lesson about the vulnerabilities entrenched in Nigeria's construction practices. With many homes located in flood-prone areas, the need for resilient designs is paramount. Traditional construction practices often overlook essential principles of disaster resilience, including site selection, elevated foundations, and the choice of materials suited to withstand flooding.


Lessons Learned from the Borno Floods:

1. Site Assessment: A thorough site assessment can help identify flood-prone areas and inform better site selection. Utilizing GIS technology and historical data helps plan where to build and what flood mitigation strategies to employ.

2. Elevated Structures: Buildings, particularly residential structures, need to have elevated foundations that can withstand minor floods. This approach not only extends the lifecycle of the structure but also reduces the risk of damage.

3. Use of Flood-Resistant Materials: Manufacturers are now creating composite materials for construction that resist decay and are significantly more durable in flood conditions. These materials should become the standard in flood-prone regions.

4. Integrated Planning: Urban planning must integrate both land-use policies and disaster risk reduction, considering the interconnectedness of urban systems. This involves creating buffer zones and green landscapes that naturally absorb excess water.

Building Collapse: Addressing the Root Causes

The disheartening collapse of buildings under construction in 2024 in Nigeria illustrates a systemic failure within the construction sector. Many of these disastrous structural failures can be traced back to inadequate regulatory frameworks, poor quality control, and corruption.

Key Factors Contributing to Building Collapse:

Substandard Materials: In a bid to cut costs, many contractors opt for cheaper materials that do not meet safety standards. The consequence is often catastrophic, with lives lost and families displaced.

Lack of Skilled Labor: The construction industry suffers from a shortage of qualified professionals. Engineers, architects, and builders often lack the necessary training, leading to poor construction methods.

Regulatory Failure: Inadequate enforcement of building codes has become a significant issue in Nigeria. Tightened regulations must be enforced to ensure compliance and safety standards.

Fire Outbreaks in Major Markets: A Call for Safety

Markets are the heartbeat of Nigeria's economy, yet they are also at a high risk for fire outbreaks—often due to constructed facilities lacking basic fire safety features. Poor choices in building materials, along with inadequate planning for ventilation and emergency routes, can turn minor incidents into catastrophic fires.

Recommendations for Safer Market Construction:

1. Fire-Resistant Materials: Given the frequent occurrences of fires, it's crucial for market structures to utilize fire-resistant materials unless legally prohibited. Investing in fireproof coatings and insulation can slow the spread of flames.

2. Designing for Safety: Space management in markets needs serious reconsideration. Ensuring proper aisles for evacuation and strategically placing fire exits can save lives in emergencies.

3. Regular Fire Safety Drills: Vendors and workers should regularly participate in fire safety drills to familiarize themselves with evacuation protocols. Community education on fire risks and management strategies is vital.

4. Integration of Modern Technologies: Installing fire alarms and sprinkler systems can mitigate fire risks. Utilizing modern technology for monitoring and alert systems can prevent disasters before they escalate.

The Role of Infrastructure Projects: The Dams of Benue

The Nigerian federal government's commitment to constructing a multi-purpose dam in Benue State is noteworthy. Dams serve a dual purpose: they can mitigate floods and provide water for irrigation, drinking, and electricity generation.

Taking It Further:

While these dams can significantly contribute to reducing flood risk, they also have to be part of a larger disaster resilience agenda:

Eco-Friendly Designs: New dams must be designed with ecological considerations to minimize environmental impact. Integrated approaches with green infrastructure can enhance biodiversity while managing flood risks.

Community Engagement: Local communities should be involved through information sessions on the dam's design, use, and maintenance. Their input can help identify needs and enhance resilience.

Maintenance and Monitoring: Regular monitoring and maintenance procedures should always be established to ensure dams are functioning correctly and to verify they meet safety standards.

Building a Resilient Future: Integration is Key

Building resilience in Nigeria's construction sector is not a one-time effort but a continuous process. The lessons learned from recent disasters must inform policy changes and best practices within construction, tourism, and urban planning. Stakeholders, from government officials to private developers and community groups, must work collaboratively to ensure that safety and resilience take priority in future developments.

Policy Reform: A review and strengthening of Nigeria's building codes, with stricter enforcement, is vital for regulatory compliance.

Investment in Training: Ensuring that local contractors and builders have access to training will elevate the overall quality of construction and professional standards.

Multi-Disciplinary Approaches: Interdisciplinary collaborations between environmental scientists, architects, engineers, and urban planners can drive innovative solutions for resilient construction practices.


As Nigeria grapples with the consequences of its recent disasters, the nation stands at a crucial crossroads.

The path toward disaster resilience in construction requires a multi-faceted approach, combining best practices, innovative technologies, stricter regulations, and community engagement.

By learning from past failures and investing in smarter, more resilient construction practices, Nigeria can build a safer future—one that is prepared to withstand the increasingly unpredictable forces of nature.



Rasheed Olayinka Ajirotutu, Msc, PMP, CAPM, PMI-RMP, Lean Construction Expert

By Rasheed Olayinka Ajirotutu

Disaster resilience in construction is an increasingly crucial factor in urban planning and infrastructure development, particularly in countries like Nigeria, which has been plagued by a myriad of environmental disasters ranging from floods and fires to building collapses. In recent years, several high-profile disasters, including flooding in Borno, structural failures, and market fires, have underscored the urgent need for a more resilient approach in the construction sector.

The Context: Recent Disasters in Nigeria

Nigeria's challenges with disasters have been accentuated in recent years. In 2023, floods in Borno State caused significant destruction, displacing thousands and destroying homes and infrastructure. The narrative of Borno's floods is not just about the immediate loss; it's also about long-term resilience and the lessons learned for construction practices.

The collapse of several buildings under construction in Nigeria in 2024 further highlighted structural vulnerabilities and the danger posed by inadequate regulations and enforcement. These incidents, often attributed to subpar materials, lack of professional oversight, and corruption, have drawn attention to the urgent need for disaster-resilient construction methods.

Additionally, fire outbreaks in major markets across Nigeria have raised questions about building choices and safety regulations. Often constructed with flammable materials and lacking adequate fire exits, these market structures pose significant risks to vendors and consumers alike.

Amid all these challenges, the federal government's approval for the construction of a multi-purpose dam in Benue State to control flooding along the River Dura is a positive initiative aimed at mitigating some of these disasters. However, while such infrastructural projects are promising, they need to be part of a broader strategy that addresses construction practices at the building level.


Flood Disasters and Construction Resilience

The floods in Borno State provide a sobering lesson about the vulnerabilities entrenched in Nigeria's construction practices. With many homes located in flood-prone areas, the need for resilient designs is paramount. Traditional construction practices often overlook essential principles of disaster resilience, including site selection, elevated foundations, and the choice of materials suited to withstand flooding.


Lessons Learned from the Borno Floods:

1. Site Assessment: A thorough site assessment can help identify flood-prone areas and inform better site selection. Utilizing GIS technology and historical data helps plan where to build and what flood mitigation strategies to employ.

2. Elevated Structures: Buildings, particularly residential structures, need to have elevated foundations that can withstand minor floods. This approach not only extends the lifecycle of the structure but also reduces the risk of damage.

3. Use of Flood-Resistant Materials: Manufacturers are now creating composite materials for construction that resist decay and are significantly more durable in flood conditions. These materials should become the standard in flood-prone regions.

4. Integrated Planning: Urban planning must integrate both land-use policies and disaster risk reduction, considering the interconnectedness of urban systems. This involves creating buffer zones and green landscapes that naturally absorb excess water.

Building Collapse: Addressing the Root Causes

The disheartening collapse of buildings under construction in 2024 in Nigeria illustrates a systemic failure within the construction sector. Many of these disastrous structural failures can be traced back to inadequate regulatory frameworks, poor quality control, and corruption.

Key Factors Contributing to Building Collapse:

Substandard Materials: In a bid to cut costs, many contractors opt for cheaper materials that do not meet safety standards. The consequence is often catastrophic, with lives lost and families displaced.

Lack of Skilled Labor: The construction industry suffers from a shortage of qualified professionals. Engineers, architects, and builders often lack the necessary training, leading to poor construction methods.

Regulatory Failure: Inadequate enforcement of building codes has become a significant issue in Nigeria. Tightened regulations must be enforced to ensure compliance and safety standards.

Fire Outbreaks in Major Markets: A Call for Safety

Markets are the heartbeat of Nigeria's economy, yet they are also at a high risk for fire outbreaks—often due to constructed facilities lacking basic fire safety features. Poor choices in building materials, along with inadequate planning for ventilation and emergency routes, can turn minor incidents into catastrophic fires.

Recommendations for Safer Market Construction:

1. Fire-Resistant Materials: Given the frequent occurrences of fires, it's crucial for market structures to utilize fire-resistant materials unless legally prohibited. Investing in fireproof coatings and insulation can slow the spread of flames.

2. Designing for Safety: Space management in markets needs serious reconsideration. Ensuring proper aisles for evacuation and strategically placing fire exits can save lives in emergencies.

3. Regular Fire Safety Drills: Vendors and workers should regularly participate in fire safety drills to familiarize themselves with evacuation protocols. Community education on fire risks and management strategies is vital.

4. Integration of Modern Technologies: Installing fire alarms and sprinkler systems can mitigate fire risks. Utilizing modern technology for monitoring and alert systems can prevent disasters before they escalate.

The Role of Infrastructure Projects: The Dams of Benue

The Nigerian federal government's commitment to constructing a multi-purpose dam in Benue State is noteworthy. Dams serve a dual purpose: they can mitigate floods and provide water for irrigation, drinking, and electricity generation.

Taking It Further:

While these dams can significantly contribute to reducing flood risk, they also have to be part of a larger disaster resilience agenda:

Eco-Friendly Designs: New dams must be designed with ecological considerations to minimize environmental impact. Integrated approaches with green infrastructure can enhance biodiversity while managing flood risks.

Community Engagement: Local communities should be involved through information sessions on the dam's design, use, and maintenance. Their input can help identify needs and enhance resilience.

Maintenance and Monitoring: Regular monitoring and maintenance procedures should always be established to ensure dams are functioning correctly and to verify they meet safety standards.

Building a Resilient Future: Integration is Key

Building resilience in Nigeria's construction sector is not a one-time effort but a continuous process. The lessons learned from recent disasters must inform policy changes and best practices within construction, tourism, and urban planning. Stakeholders, from government officials to private developers and community groups, must work collaboratively to ensure that safety and resilience take priority in future developments.

Policy Reform: A review and strengthening of Nigeria's building codes, with stricter enforcement, is vital for regulatory compliance.

Investment in Training: Ensuring that local contractors and builders have access to training will elevate the overall quality of construction and professional standards.

Multi-Disciplinary Approaches: Interdisciplinary collaborations between environmental scientists, architects, engineers, and urban planners can drive innovative solutions for resilient construction practices.


As Nigeria grapples with the consequences of its recent disasters, the nation stands at a crucial crossroads.

The path toward disaster resilience in construction requires a multi-faceted approach, combining best practices, innovative technologies, stricter regulations, and community engagement.

By learning from past failures and investing in smarter, more resilient construction practices, Nigeria can build a safer future—one that is prepared to withstand the increasingly unpredictable forces of nature.



Rasheed Olayinka Ajirotutu, Msc, PMP, CAPM, PMI-RMP, Lean Construction Expert

naijatoonz:
I think you need to specify if its 3d or 2d animators you require

Done. Many thanks.

A start-up animation firm is seeking the services of an animation artist to build and develop life-like 2D characters for stories on its online magazine.
If you fit the bill, please contact Yomi on 08023708680 ASAP

Ajewealth123:
ipodexposed right now

Daboomb:
Thank you for bringing this to the fore.

This Senators think they have suddenly become gods!
They think they can Probate and Reprobate, acting as Prosecutor and Judge at the same time.
They dont even seem to understand the simplest of the Principles of Separation of Power, .....and they call themselves "Lawmakers"!

This is why it is not good to elect 'dofus' as lawmakers

Imagine Criminals talking about INTEGRITY?

Laugh wan kill me sef.

Lol

I wonder why they can't manufacture some of the phones here. Hopefully they'll start doing that soon.

OBAGADAFFI:
They are owned by Nigerian businessmen.

Transsion Holdings is just a Manufacturer.

Just like what TCL is doing for Nokia, Blackberry and other global brands.

I think Sagay was right, according to Section 88(2). Section 89, which confers the Senate with power to summon anyone, cannot be read in isolation. It has to tango with Section 88, especially subsection 2.

Section 88(2) The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to –

(a) make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and

(b) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.

morounkola:
Please what case is the senate investigating that requires Prof Sagay to give evidence? Lawyers in the house, please interpret

Please read Section 88(2)

cktheluckyman:
Chai very apt and someone who calls himself a professor of law doesn't know this.Maybe he attended midnight law class

Jeffboi:
At the age of 8, followed uncle to the city, since then I've been out, only visiting

My fren, that's not 'moving out'.

Moved out three years after NYSC. Felt good to be able to have the bathroom door open while taking a shit.

Abortion? Hell no!

Don't join bad gang!

Funny thing is, as silly as his chat lines are, they actually work...with some girls! It appears some girls are programmed to automatically consider anyone who says the magic words : 'I want to marry you'.

Welcome! Have fun, but don't join bad gang.

erdee:
I used to be their fan! Nairalanders HELLO, am just de newest here can I get some love??

Abbeyunique2:
Gross! jesus and dick in a comment. eww

Chai! No b small thing o!

There should be human rights groups willing to take up her case. her family can try Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). Their office is in Ikeja.
www.cdhrnigeria.org

Or
Women Arise for Change Initiative
www.womenarise.org.ng

"A friend told me about an even more pathetic case of her neighbour that regularly conveyed herself to the cabin of a pit latrine, just to inhale the thick air of fermented disgust that exhumes from that horror pit of unimaginable degrees of amassed decay."

Good Lord!!! No be small thing o! Are you sure her village 'Air Force' didn't have a hand in that?
How u dey? Long time!

josite:
please can you help me get his gsm,he is someone well known to me.i can really make a big difference talking to him.not seen him for over 15yrs

I'm afraid I don't. I've not really kept in touch with the school for years.

philfrey08:

Op.... i suspect from your title you are blackmailing this man further. I jus feel there are so much lies in this your "cry for help" you claim he did these outrageous things even during the day.... is he the owner of the school?


I jus feel there are so much lies here. Thats all.
You not only ruining the school and Faculty of Law rep but the integrity of every female graduate of the faculty is questionable.

Finally, dont poison the minds of Nairalanders. This is wrong, the story sounds all cooked up.

Funny enuff Nairalanders would not read the full story to smell the lies.
Or is this guy advertising for FOREIGN EXTRA STOUT?

The man was my lecturer 10 years ago. We all knew him as a terror to girls. He was EXTREMELY randy. I'm not surprised one bit.

jackpot:
I hope it is not a blackmail. I hope the lady didn't seduce him and shouted rape in the heat of the moment. Students are mischievous, you know.

Not likely. The man was my lecturer 10 years ago: he had a reputation for randyness at the faculty. Neither I nor any of my former coursemates are surprised.

handbagss:
can't read my messages yet.
I'll keep trying

Thought as much. Tried to send you a message yesterday. Wondered if it was my message board that was being funny. Good luck!

handbagss:
*blushing. Thanks friend

You're welcome. Whatever happened to your mail? Are you able to read your messages now?

handbagss:
seems I'll start using palm kernel oil and chewing stick too

Naah, you don't need to. You look great already. The hair on your arms...me likey!

handbagss:
wow! lovely teeth and skin.

Thanks. You're too kind. Glad to know my palmkernel oil and chewing stick are working.

handbagss:
patiently waiting. quote me when u upload

Yours sincerly now on my profile.

handbagss:
patiently waiting. quote me when u upload

Hahahahaha....you really are serious?! Okay, here goes.

handbagss:
viewing pix... upload your pix, pls

Er...not sure that would be a good idea. I'm so fine, I don't wanna break the internet. But seriously, I'm not really comfortable putting my picture on nairaland. I prefer the anonymity. Anyways just this once, I will. For only a few minutes though.

Hmmm... Not sure. Apart from my good looks Maybe sensitivity or empathy, I think.

menesheh:
Deceiver

Why do say that? Has he deceived you