NSE Blames Poor Designs, Substandard Materials For Building Failures

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has attributed the rising incidents of structural failure in the country’s construction sector to faulty designs and the use of inferior building materials.

This position was articulated by the NSE President, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, during a public lecture and induction ceremony held in Damaturu on Tuesday as part of the 2025 Engineering Week celebrations.

Speaking through the NSE Vice President, Usman Tijjani, Oguntala warned that non-compliance with professional standards often leads to project delays, budget overruns, and building collapses. She stressed the critical importance of adhering to engineering best practices, especially given the safety risks and long-term economic costs associated with poorly executed projects.

Themed “Construction of Flyover and Other Related Engineering Infrastructures,” this year’s celebration was described as both relevant and timely, given Nigeria’s current infrastructural drive.

Oguntala applauded the Yobe State Government’s infrastructural initiatives—particularly the construction of Damaturu’s first flyover—as a bold stride in the right direction. However, she cautioned that such large-scale projects demand rigorous structural assessments, proper soil testing, accurate design specifications, and strict quality control to ensure they do not become costly liabilities.

“Flyovers are capital-heavy ventures that require thorough budgeting and supervision to guarantee long-term safety and functionality,” she warned.

She called on engineers, contractors, and regulatory bodies to uphold the profession’s ethical codes, with attention to technical elements like soil bearing capacity, concrete quality, load-bearing capacity, and environmental compatibility.

Earlier in the program, the NSE Damaturu Branch Chairman, Mr. Aliyu Sabo, stated that the 2025 Engineering Week was designed to promote professionalism, raise public awareness on project quality, and encourage adherence to engineering ethics.

Activities lined up for the week include technical site visits, outreach to hospitals and orphanages, and will culminate in a dinner and award night. Sabo also honored the legacy of the late Mr. Jibrin Umar Kortoni—a former Director-General of the Ministry of Lands and Survey and past NSE branch chairman—for his role in the development of the Society’s Damaturu Secretariat.

Seventeen new members were formally inducted into the Damaturu branch during the event.