Following the devastating collapse of a 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, in November 2021, concerns about building safety and construction practices in Nigeria escalated sharply. In the midst of this national reckoning, the work of Oluwafemi Samson Afolabi, a young Nigerian researcher and recent civil engineering graduate, gained significant attention within the country’s construction industry.
As an undergraduate, Oluwafemi conducted a pioneering study on the optimisation of load-bearing capacities in beams, slabs, and columns, published in the Communications in Physical Sciences journal. His research introduced a systematic, data-driven approach to improving the strength and efficiency of structural designs, a sharp contrast to the conventional over-conservative methods commonly used in Nigeria.
“The future of construction lies in precision and intelligent design,” Oluwafemi remarked, speaking with our correspondent at the ground opening of the multipurpose high-rise buildings at Lekki, Lagos. “We can no longer rely on generic safety factors that waste materials and ignore the potential of optimisation.”
A Study That Arrived at a Critical Moment
The timing of his work proved particularly significant. Just weeks after the Ikoyi tragedy, the Nigerian government awarded the construction of six new 24-storey multipurpose buildings to Krystal 12 Limited. The company, after reviewing Oluwafemi’s published study, recognised the practical value of his methodology and saw an opportunity to integrate his optimisation framework into their design process.
“Oluwafemi’s research is a breakthrough for our industry,” said Engr. Saheed Olayinka, Project Manager at Krystal 12 Limited. “His work offers the kind of precision and resource efficiency we need to rebuild public confidence in high-rise construction and he will be helping to contribute directly to the structural planning of the new towers alongside our experienced engineering team.”
Key Contributions from the Study
Oluwafemi’s analysis demonstrated that beam width, depth, and material selection are the most influential factors in structural capacity. His regression-based models revealed that many structures in Nigeria are significantly under-utilised due to the habitual application of excessive safety margins.
Through his research, he found that:
– Smart optimisation can reduce material use by up to 15% while maintaining structural safety.
– Conservative designs are contributing to unnecessary construction costs.
– Structural designs, when optimised, can achieve higher efficiency without compromising stability.
His comparative study charted the differences between original designs and optimised configurations, showing clear gains in load-bearing performance and material savings.
Industry interest and broader impact
Oluwafemi’s work is gaining attention as Nigeria shifts to data-driven engineering. Construction firms across the country want to apply his optimisation strategies to their projects.
Complementing that optimisation work, his study on reinforced concrete deep beams found that closer transverse reinforcement and the use of self-compacting concrete improved diagonal cracking performance and preserved strut efficiency in congested regions, a practical insight for transfer elements in high-rise projects.
Oluwafemi’s research offers not just technical solutions but a pathway toward rebuilding public trust in Nigeria’s building sector at a time when the country is still dealing with gaps in construction oversight and structural failures.
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