The Lagos State Government has sealed no fewer than 827 construction sites across the state in the last 12 months as part of an intensified crackdown on building collapses and violations of construction safety regulations.

Authorities said the enforcement drive is aimed at strengthening compliance with quality assurance standards and reducing the incidence of structural failures, particularly in informal settlements and unapproved developments.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), Olayinka Abdul, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

According to Abdul, the agency has adopted a proactive, technology-driven approach to quality control, moving beyond traditional testing methods to detect violations before they result in disasters.

She revealed that the agency issued 3,181 regulatory notices to developers and property owners during the review period while carrying out 822 enforcement and compliance operations across the state.

Of the affected facilities, 439 sites were sealed for failing to comply with regulatory directives, while several others were shut down for violations related to destructive and non-destructive 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 identified non-compliance with statutory testing procedures and regulatory oversight, especially within informal settlements, as a major contributor to building collapse incidents in the state.

To address the challenge, Abdul said the agency has introduced a series of reforms centred on technology, stricter enforcement and improved industry-wide compliance.

Among the initiatives is the Electronic Materials Testing Management System (e-MTMS), a digital platform that assigns unique tracking codes to construction samples submitted for testing, eliminating human interference and reducing the risk of manipulation of test results.

She also disclosed that the agency now enforces a mandatory three-stage testing regime requiring developers to conduct material tests at the foundation, structural frame and roofing stages before projects can proceed.

In addition, all registered construction sites have been geotagged and mapped using GPS technology, enabling remote compliance monitoring and real-time project tracking by enforcement teams.

Abdul further announced the introduction of a private laboratory accreditation programme under which only laboratories that successfully pass biannual proficiency assessments are authorised to issue test certificates recognised by the Lagos State Government.

To strengthen public participation, the agency has established a whistleblower and rapid-response mechanism that allows residents to report suspicious construction activities.

According to her, reports received through the platform are investigated within 48 hours, with immediate enforcement action taken where violations are confirmed.

The LSMTL boss also highlighted partnerships with professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Building and the Association of Real Estate Developers of Nigeria (AREDOL), to implement compulsory training and certification programmes for construction stakeholders.

She disclosed that during the review period, the agency conducted 7,077 steel destructive tests, 5,959 concrete tests, 1,818 water tests, 333 pile integrity tests, 948 steel stanchion tests and 226 geotechnical tests on construction materials, including sand, granite and cement.

Abdul urged residents to demand valid materials testing certificates before occupying newly completed buildings, stressing that preventing building collapse requires collaboration among regulators, developers and 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,” she said. (The Sun)

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