Nigeria building collapse deaths 1600

Nigeria's Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqa Rabe Darma, disclosed that since 1974 the country has recorded over 650 building collapses and more than 1,600 deaths. Speaking at a stakeholders' workshop in Abuja, he noted that almost every collapsed building had a designer, builder, and approving officer, yet licensing and accountability were largely absent. The Federal Government is proposing a National Housing and Built Environment Regulation Policy to strengthen oversight, enforce licensing, improve construction standards, and establish a United States — Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The reforms also include escrow protection for homebuyers, a national housing data observatory, and reforms to the Nigeria — Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to open the Nigeria — National Housing Fund to informal sector workers. Permanent Secretary Shuaib Belgore highlighted that weak regulatory enforcement and fragmented data have constrained planning and investor confidence. The ministry inaugurated a steering committee to develop a framework for a Nigeria — National Housing Data Centre. The real estate sector accounts for about 13.4% of Nigeria's GDP, and the core housing deficit is estimated at 15 million units.