Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has launched the Certified Accreditors’ Programme (CAP) to enhance building safety and compliance, aiming to prevent incidents like the tragic Ikoyi building collapse of 2021.
Speaking at the White Stone Event Centre, Ikeja, the governor emphasized that CAP would play a crucial role in strengthening regulatory oversight, reducing building collapses, and ensuring sustainable urban development.
The programme, developed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), follows recommendations from the investigative panel on the Ikoyi collapse. It fosters collaboration between the government and private-sector professionals in the built environment.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted CAP’s potential benefits, including improving urban aesthetics, boosting investor confidence, and strengthening regulatory frameworks. He urged property developers, homeowners, architects, and engineers to uphold integrity and compliance in construction projects.
“The responsibility of ensuring safer buildings does not rest solely on the government,” he said. “I urge all accredited firms to carry out their duties with professionalism, and I encourage residents to report substandard constructions and unauthorized developments.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, revealed that CAP received 250 expressions of interest, with 150 companies shortlisted after a rigorous selection process.
He also announced that “super CAP agents” would monitor compliance efforts to ensure transparency and accountability. The programme categorizes participants into two groups:
- Individual professionals—teams of at least five qualified experts in relevant fields.
- Corporate firms—at least two registered companies specializing in construction and building regulations.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, described CAP as a transformative initiative that would enhance agency efficiency and collaboration with private-sector professionals.
“The launch of CAP will help our agency serve Lagosians more effectively while fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence in building practices,” Oki stated.
He warned that building owners and developers must comply with inspections, adding that defaulters would face serious consequences.
With this initiative, Lagos aims to become a model for sustainable urban development in Africa, ensuring that buildings in the state meet high safety and quality standards.
