The Lagos State Government has shut down 827 construction sites across the state within the past year as part of ongoing efforts to curb building collapses and enforce compliance with construction and safety regulations.
The government said the enforcement campaign is aimed at addressing the recurring problem of structural failures, particularly in informal communities and unapproved developments where some developers often bypass established safety and quality assurance procedures.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, LSMTL, Engr. Olayinka Abdul, disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Abdul explained that the agency has adopted a more proactive and technology-driven approach to quality control, moving beyond traditional testing methods to identify and address infractions before they lead to building failures.
According to her, the laboratory issued 3,181 regulatory notices to developers and property owners during the period under review, while enforcement teams conducted 822 compliance inspections across construction sites in the state.
She revealed that 439 sites were sealed for failing to comply with regulatory directives, while several others were shut down for violations relating to mandatory destructive and non-destructive material testing requirements, bringing the total number of sealed sites to 827.
“These sealings are not just statistics; they send a clear message that no structure is too big and no developer too connected to escape quality control measures in Lagos State,” Abdul said.
She attributed many incidents of building collapse to projects in informal settlements where developers frequently sidestep statutory testing requirements and regulatory supervision.
To strengthen compliance, Abdul said the agency had introduced a series of reforms centred on technology, stricter monitoring and enhanced enforcement.
Among the initiatives is the Electronic Materials Testing Management System, e-MTMS, a digital platform that assigns unique identification codes to construction samples submitted for testing. According to her, the system eliminates human interference and minimises opportunities for manipulation of test results.
She also disclosed that developers are now required to comply with a mandatory three-stage testing process covering foundation works, structural framework and roofing stages before projects can proceed.
In addition, all registered construction sites have been geotagged and integrated into a GPS-based monitoring system, enabling enforcement officers to track projects remotely and verify compliance in real time.
“The agency has also introduced a private laboratory accreditation programme under which only laboratories that pass bi-annual proficiency assessments are authorised to issue test certificates recognised by the Lagos State Government,” she said.
Abdul further revealed that a whistleblower and rapid response mechanism had been established to encourage residents to report suspicious construction activities.
She noted that reports received through the system are investigated within 48 hours, with immediate enforcement action taken where necessary.
The LSMTL boss also said the agency had partnered with professional organisations, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, the Nigerian Institute of Building and the Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos, to implement compulsory training and certification programmes for industry practitioners.
Providing a breakdown of activities carried out during the review period, Abdul said the agency conducted 7,077 destructive tests on steel materials, 5,959 concrete tests, 1,818 water tests, 333 pile integrity tests, 948 steel stanchion tests and 226 geotechnical tests involving construction materials such as sand, granite and cement.
She urged residents to request and verify valid test certificates before occupying newly completed buildings, stressing that preventing structural failures requires collaboration among regulators, developers and members of the public.
“We are working towards zero building collapse in Lagos, but residents also have a role to play by insisting on quality assurance and compliance before moving into any building,” Abdul said.
