𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐟𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Weak legislation and a lack of political will are enabling quackery in Nigeria’s construction sector, putting lives at risk and weakening building standards across the country.

The President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Kene Nzekwe, said stronger laws and institutions were needed to stop unqualified individuals from taking on specialised construction roles. He noted that the current system allows uncertified people to operate freely, worsening the problem.

Nzekwe explained that the industry’s challenges were rooted in “a political environment and weak legislation,” stressing that only certified builders should be allowed to handle construction projects. According to him, enforcing proper regulations would greatly reduce the infiltration of quacks.

He added that professional bodies alone cannot tackle the issue unless government takes a firm lead in strengthening oversight and enforcing standards.

Clarifying the institute’s stance, Nzekwe said the call for competence was not aimed at small-scale artisans but at ensuring that only trained professionals handle specialised tasks. Skilled artisans, he noted, would still work under proper guidance if regulations are followed.

He expressed concern over untrained individuals being wrongly addressed as engineers in many communities, warning that such practices contribute to frequent building collapse incidents.

According to him, competence, certification and proper training remain essential safeguards for safe and reliable construction in the country.