2021 Lagos high-rise collapse

On 1 November 2021, a high-rise block of luxury flats under construction in the neighbourhood of Ikoyi in Lagos, Nigeria, collapsed. At least 42 people died. The government of Lagos State is conducting an investigation.

2021 Lagos high-rise collapse
Date1 November 2021 (2021-11-01)
Time2:45 pm WAT (UTC+01:00)
Location44BCD Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
Coordinates6°27′25″N 3°26′38″E
TypeBuilding collapse
CauseUnder investigation
Deaths42

Background

Fourscore Homes Limited,[note 1] based in the neighbourhood of Ikoyi in Lagos, Nigeria,[1] financed and was undertaking (including having commissioned subcontractors for) the construction of a trio of highrise buildings at 44BCD (or 20) Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, known as the 360 Degrees Towers. The company was headed by the Nigerian developer Femi Osibona.[2][3]

Osibona had previously worked as a shoe salesman, and had developed properties at Albion Drive, Hackney, London, in Atlanta, Georgia, and near Johannesburg, South Africa.[4] He was an evangelist and a member of the Celestial Church of Christ.[4] Osibona was educated at Mayflower School, Ikenne, and then took an HND in business and finance, reportedly at Croydon University[note 2] in the UK.[4]

One of the buildings was a 21-storey luxury residential high-rise tower, and it was this building that collapsed.[5] In February 2020, the consultancy firm Prowess Engineering Limited withdrew from the project over concerns regarding the integrity of the building.[6] The Lagos State Building Control Agency had approved plans for 15 floors, but 21 had been constructed.[7]

Collapse

The collapse of one of the three 360 Degrees Towers occurred at 14:45 West Africa Time (UTC+1) on 1 November 2021.[8][5][9] As of 6 November, 42 people have been confirmed dead.[10][11] An early official estimate stated that up to 40 workers were on the construction site at the time.[12] Osibona was also at the site, and died in the collapse.[13][14] His body was recovered on 4 November.[14][15][16] The Lagos state emergency agency stated that eight people were critically injured.[17]

A rescue effort is being conducted by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Lagos State, and other responders. The effort is supervised by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, and the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.[18] According NEMA, the military is scheduled to "take over operations".[19]

As of 6 November, 15 people had been rescued.[20][21][12] As of 3 November, Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that the search was ongoing.[22]

Investigation

Gbolahan Oki, the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, announced on 2 November that the owner of the building has been arrested and would be prosecuted.[23] The state government suspended the chief architect, and is conducting an investigation through an independent panel, which has been allotted 30 days to disclose findings.[12][22] The Special Investigations Panel presented their report to the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in February 2022.[24]

See also

Notes
  1. Named in some sources as "Fourscore Heights"
  2. Croydon College?

References
  1. "Fourscore Homes Limited". Lagos, Nigeria: Estate Intel. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  2. "Femi Osibona: Face behind collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi – P.M. News". Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  3. "360° Ikoyi: Positive Reflection of Diaspora Spirit". THISDAYLIVE. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  4. Nasiru, Jemilat (3 November 2021). "Obituary: From shoe seller to real estate tycoon -- the grass-to-grace story of Femi Osibona". The Cable. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  5. "Nigeria Ikoyi building collapse: Race to find survivors". BBC News. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  6. Ajiboye, Gbemisola (1 November 2021). "We warned owners of Ikoyi collapsed building – Structural engineers". The Witness Newspaper. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  7. Ajiboye, Gbemisola (1 November 2021). "Ikoyi collapsed building: We approved 15 floors, but owner built 21 floors – Agency". The Witness Newspaper. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  8. Busari, Stephanie; Mackintosh, Eliza; Mezzofiore, Gianluca. "Multi-story building collapses in Lagos, Nigeria". CNN. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  9. "Wetin we know about di 21 storey building wey collapse for Ikoyi". BBC News Pidgin (in Nigerian Pidgin). Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  10. "Ikoyi Building: Death Toll Rises To 42, Says Sanwo-Olu". Channels Television. 6 November 2021.
  11. "100 feared trapped in Nigeria high-rise collapse". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  12. Chile, Nneka; Sani, Seun (2 November 2021). "Nigeria building collapse kills at least 16; rescuers search on". Reuters. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  13. Thomas, Yemi (1 November 2021). "Ikoyi Collapsed Building: Developer, Femi Osibona, still missing". National Infinity Magazine. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  14. "Owner Of Collapsed Building Confirmed Dead, Corpse Recovered From Rubble". Information Nigeria. 4 November 2021. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  15. Thomas, Yemi (1 November 2021). "Ikoyi Collapsed Building: Developer, Femi Osibona, still missing". National Infinity Magazine. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  16. "Owner of ill-fated Ikoyi building, Femi Osibona, two others feared dead; four rescued". TheNewsGuru. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  17. Owoeye, Fikayo (4 November 2021). "Hopes fade of finding survivors of Nigeria high-rise collapse as toll rises". Reuters. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  18. Gbadeyanka, Modupe. "PHOTOS: 20-Storey Building Collapses in Ikoyi Lagos, Workers Trapped". businesspost.ng. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  19. Dahir, Abdi Latif; Alfa, Ismail (November 2021). "Nigeria Building Collapse Kills at Least 5 With Many More Trapped". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  20. Oluwakemi Adelagun (6 November 2021). "Ikoyi Building Collapse: Death toll rises to 42, survivors now 15". Premium Times. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  21. Oyebola Owolabi (6 November 2021). "Ikoyi building collapse: Six more survivors rescued from debris". Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  22. Jones, Mayeni. "Nigeria's Ikoyi building collapse: Anger and frustration grows". BBC. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  23. Wale, Odunsi. "Ikoyi collapsed building: Owner arrested for building 21 floors after approval for 15". dailypost.ng. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  24. "Why 21-storey Ikoyi building collapsed – COREN". allafrica.com/stories/202202110153.html. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
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