By: Tijani Salako.

Engineers have attributed that the high demand for affordable homes birthed the growing numbers of unskilled builders across the country to the deepening housing.

Principal Partner, AICOL Consulting, Aileme Unuigbe, asserted that the persistent housing deficit has created room for unqualified builders to flood the housing industry in a bid to meet demand.

He disclosed this at the 38th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NISE), themed ‘Strengthening and Advancing of Structural Engineering Practice In Nigeria’, which was held recently in Lagos.

Acknowledging that, “Over the last decade plus, the construction industry in Nigeria has experienced an influx of building project promoters who are neither qualified nor experienced in the science and art of building construction.

“This proliferation of unqualified builders and building developers has been as a result of the huge magnitude of the shortage of housing across the cities in the nation. This housing need has also created an avenue for investment from all-comers who have taken advantage of weak enforcement of building development control to engage in construction.”

Edging forward, the President and Chairman of the Council, Johnson Adeyoye, of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, noted the roles of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers

Adeyoye stressed that “Regulation plays a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of various sectors of the economy, and structural engineering is no exception. Governments’ roles are crucial in making informed decisions about having only standard, stable, safe, durable and economically viable structures erected to adorn the entire landscape of our country.

“To stem the tide of many incidents of building collapse, governments should ensure that only square pegs are put in square holes. Only COREN-registered, NIStructE-certified structural engineers should design and supervise the construction of multi-storey buildings and structures in the country. There is an urgent need for us to align with global best practices.”

Ongoing, the Chief Executive Officer at Hitek Engineering Inc., Dr. Michael Egbebike, noted that many engineers lack exposure to modern design technologies such as BIM, FEA, and risk-based design analysis.

He said, “University curricula are outdated, limiting practical competence and innovation; introducing mandatory Continuing Professional Development focused on modern tools and ethics can bridge the gap.

“Engineering regulation is dispersed among COREN, NSE, and NIStructE, leading to overlapping roles and weak enforcement. This fragmentation undermines professional accountability and standardisation. Legal reform is required to unify oversight under a clear institutional mandate.”