The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Attah, has inaugurated a 21-member National Building Code Advisory Committee, reaffirming the federal government’s determination to enforce safety, quality, and sustainability in the nation’s building and construction sector.
The inauguration, which took place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, brought together registered professionals, representatives of key institutions, relevant non-governmental organizations, and state representatives from all six geopolitical zones.
In his address, Hon. Attah described the event as a bold step to reposition Nigeria’s construction industry on a foundation of standards, regulation, and professionalism.
“By inaugurating this committee, we are demonstrating our resolve to ensure that every Nigerian home, office, school, hospital, and place of assembly is built to specifications that guarantee safety, durability, and sustainability,” he said.
The Minister underscored the National Building Code as a crucial regulatory tool that sets minimum standards across pre-design, design, construction, and maintenance stages, thereby curbing incessant building collapses and unprofessional practices that have plagued the industry for decades.
Giving a historical perspective, Hon. Attah recalled that efforts to establish a national code began in 1987, with several attempts in the late 1980s and 1990s, until a draft was presented in 2005 and later signed into law by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006. However, challenges in ratification, enforcement, and compliance slowed progress.
He noted that while the first advisory committee was inaugurated in 2018, it was not reconstituted after its three-year tenure expired—leaving a gap in enforcement and monitoring.
Outlining the new committee’s responsibilities, the Minister said it will review the code periodically, recommend technical subcommittees, and ensure strict compliance across federal, state, and local government levels through enforcement units staffed with registered professionals. Members are expected to meet at least twice yearly and submit quarterly reports to the ministry.
“This is a serious national assignment and it must not be business as usual. Nigerians expect results. The ministry expects results. The safety of our citizens, the durability of our infrastructure, and the resilience of our cities depend on the work you do here,” he charged.
Hon. Attah also assured that the government remains committed to delivering safe, decent, and affordable housing, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable urban development. He stressed that effective enforcement of the code would not only protect lives and property but also create jobs and foster safer, more sustainable cities.
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore—represented by the Director of Public Buildings, Qs Pemi Temitope—emphasized that the reconstitution of the committee reflects the ministry’s determination under Honourable Minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa to provide affordable shelter without compromising safety, quality, or sustainability.
On behalf of the committee, Chairman Arc. Mohammed Faworaja pledged professionalism and diligence in carrying out their responsibilities, assuring that efforts will also be made to encourage states to domesticate the National Building Code in line with their peculiar needs.
The inauguration, therefore, marks a renewed commitment by the federal government to enforce building standards and ensure that the tragedies of building collapses and unsafe constructions become a thing of the past in Nigeria.
