Ata Inaugurates Building Code Advisory Committee, Assures Nigerians of Safe Buildings

* Says Building Code, a crucial regulatory instrument in housing construction.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Attah has inaugurated a twenty one member committee on National Building Code Advisory, Thursday August 28th, 2025.

The Reconstituted Committee comprises; duly registered professionals, representatives of key institutions, relevant Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as one state representative per geopolitical zones of the country.

In his address, Hon Ata described l the inauguration as a collective resolve to reposition the Nigerian building and construction industry on a foundation of standards, regulations, and professionalism.

“ By inaugurating this Committee, we are demonstrating our determination to ensure that every Nigerian home, office, school, hospital, and place of assembly is built to specifications that guarantee safety, durability, and sustainability”, he added.

He highlighted the National Building Code as a crucial regulatory instrument that sets minimum standards for pre-design, design, construction, and maintenance stages, ensuring quality, safety, and proficiency in the building industry.

Giving a historical context to the journey of building code in Nigeria, the Minister informed that the first attempt was initiated in 1987 by the Federal National Council of Works and Housing, with subsequent attempts made in 1989 and 1990, then  draft presented at the second National Council on Housing and Urban Development in 2005.

He stated that the code was officially signed into law in 2006 by President Olusegun Obasanjo, but has recorded slow progress due to challenges in ratification, enforcement, and compliance.

The Minister further informed that first National Building Code Advisory Committee was inaugurated in 2018, but was not reconstructed after its three-year term expired.

He noted that the national building code was initiated by the National Council on Housing and Urban Development to address issues such as absence of town and city planning, incessant building collapses, use of non-professionals, lack of maintenance culture, among others.

On the Committee’s responsibility and enforcement, Hon. Attah said they would be responsible for periodic reviews of the code, and accountable to the Honourable Minister, adding that the code establishes enforcement divisions and units at federal, state, and local government levels, staffed by registered professionals, who are charged with implementing its provisions.

Accordingly, he outlined the functions of the committee in line with section 3 of the Code to include; periodic review of the National Building Code, recommending technical subcommittees, and guiding specialized technical sub-committees.

Informing that the committee will meet at least twice a year, with all meetings subject to the approval of the Minister, the Honorable Minister instructed that the committee would provide quarterly reports detailing progress, challenges, and recommendations to the ministry, as well as ensure that their work leads to visible results.

“This is a serious national assignment and it must be treated as such. It cannot and must not be business as usual. Nigerians expect results. The Ministry expects results”, he warned.

Hon. Attah charged members of this Committee to bring their professional competence, integrity, and patriotic commitment to bear, in discharging their responsibilities; “The safety of our citizens, the durability of our infrastructure, and the resilience of our cities depend on the work you do here”, he stated.

He further communicated the commitment of the government to delivering safe, decent, and affordable housing, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable urban development, expressing optimism that enforcement of the Building Code, would create jobs, protect lives, secure property, and ensure that cities grow in harmony with safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, represented by the Director Public Buildings,  Qs Pemi Temitope,  emphasized on the importance of the code to provide a unifying framework that sets minimum standards for design, construction and maintenance of building across the country. 

He said the inauguration is a demonstration of the unwavering commitment of the Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa in ensuring that the ministry’s mandate of providing affordable shelter to Nigerians is pursued, without compromising safety, quality and sustainability. 

Dr. Belgore further stated that the reconstitution of the committee was therefore a deliberate step to guarantee that every housing intervention is guided by modern standards that protect lives, preserve value, and promote resilience within our built environment.

Speaking on behalf of the committee,  the Chairman of the NBCAC Committee Arc. Mohammed Faworaja  assured the Minister that the committee would carry out their responsibilities with diligence and professionalism, adhering to all requirements.

On domestication of the code in states, he said the committee will look into the National Standards and encourage states to domesticate using their peculiar situations.