Anyim Pius Anyim, Former Senate President, has called on states across the federation to urgently domesticate national building regulatory laws to ensure safer, more sustainable construction practices in Nigeria.
Anyim, who made the call while chairing the 55th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) in Abakaliki, stressed that the laws provide the necessary legal and institutional framework to guarantee safety and order in the built environment.
“The building laws establish minimum standards for design, construction and maintenance while mandating professional responsibility and certification,” the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said. “They guard against quackery and unapproved construction while promoting urban order, environmental health and disaster risk reduction.”
He noted that while some states have already domesticated the regulations, many others are yet to do so, creating what he described as a “significant gap” in the enforcement of building control systems nationwide.
“Without domestication, enforcement becomes weak or inconsistent, leading to building collapse, fire hazards, substandard infrastructure and unchecked urban sprawl,” he warned.
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He expressed optimism that the conference would further strengthen advocacy for complete domestication and effective enforcement of the laws across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Builders must not only be trained in compliance but must also be bold to demand institutionalisation wherever it is absent,” he added. “This will safeguard lives, attract investment and build a resilient Nigeria.”
The former Senate President commended the NIOB for advancing the advocacy on building regulatory laws and praised Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for hosting the national conference.
He also urged stakeholders at both state and federal levels, including professional bodies, development partners and regulatory agencies, to support efforts for stronger, enforceable building control systems across the country.
“I encourage participants to seize the opportunity of this conference to gain fresh insights, renew their professional vision and commit to enforcing standards that inspire public trust,” Anyim said.
