Union Calls for Dissolution of Standards Organization of Nigeria Amid Alarming Surge in Building Collapses
The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) has called on the Federal Government to dissolve and restructure the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to address the recurring building collapses caused by substandard materials.
The union’s National President, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, expressed concerns over SON’s recent reversal of its decision to shut down 18 companies linked to the production of substandard iron rods, citing alleged corruption and weak enforcement of building standards.
He highlighted that at least three collapses occurred in January 2025 alone, describing them as avoidable tragedies. Awoyale also pointed out that despite legal provisions mandating prosecution for companies producing inferior materials, enforcement remains lax due to collusion between SON officials and manufacturers. The issue, he noted, has persisted because poor-quality materials flood local markets while high-standard products are exported to stricter-regulated countries.
Data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild revealed that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses in 2024, with Lagos State accounting for 56% of the incidents. The House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development has also uncovered alarming irregularities, such as undersized iron rods being sold under false specifications. As public demand for accountability grows, stakeholders in the construction industry argue that only a complete overhaul of SON and the creation of a more autonomous regulatory body can enforce necessary standards and prevent further tragedies.
