Ikoyi Building Collapse: The Average Nigerian Angle

On Monday, 1st November 2021, social media platforms erupted when news broke out that a high-rise building that was under construction in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital had collapsed. The collapsed building was one of three buildings that were being handled by private developer Fourscore Homes, where the cheapest apartment unit would sell for $1.2 million.

Scores of people were missing, and three corpses were recovered by Monday afternoon. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu confirmed the three deaths but also stated that three survivors had been pulled out of the rubble by Monday evening. As of November 4, 38 people had been confirmed dead as rescue operations continued at the site.

On Tuesday, BBC News reported that the body of the MD of Fourscore Homes, Femi Osibona had been found in the debris. After his death, reports surfaced on social media that Osibona was aware of structural deficiencies in the building but went ahead with the construction without fixing any of the problems. A particular video was circulated on social media which revealed the lack of integrity of the building blocks that were to be used in the construction of the building. This further pushed the narrative that Femi Osibona cut corners when constructing.

This situation casts a new spotlight on the perceived elite of Nigeria, especially those residing in high-end parts of Lagos. The discussion regarding the circumvention of rules by Nigeria’s elite has been going on for a very long time; almost since the period during which the country gained independence. If the rich and powerful in the country can go around existing protocol to have their way with bribes and “settlements”, what hope does that give the common man?

Osibona is reported to have gone against the approved structural plan for the building which contained a plan to have 15 stories and gone ahead to build 21 stories without hindrance from the government or the appropriate quarters. For the common man, this spells two things: one, that all you need to go around protocol is money, and two, that the average Nigerian without connections in high places will suffer the decisions of the elite in the country.

The government needs to be firmer in handling the rich, and this is not speaking about the collapse alone. The “elite” in Nigeria need to be checked and kept in line. There is no one above the law, and one shouldn’t be allowed to turn a profit at the expense of people’s safety.