Building collapse: Engineers seek tougher regulation, AI adoption

Structural engineers have called for stricter enforcement of building regulations, wider adoption of digital technologies and stronger professional standards to prevent building collapses and improve Nigeria’s infrastructure.

They made the call at the 2026 Conference and 39th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The conference, themed “Re-engineering Structural Practice for a Resilient, Digital and Sustainable Infrastructure in Nigeria,” brought together engineering professionals, regulators, academics and other stakeholders to discuss emerging technologies, climate resilience and the future of structural engineering.

In his keynote address, a past president of NIStructE, Engr. Oreoluwa Fadayomi, said Nigeria needed to move beyond conventional engineering practices and embrace digital technologies to improve infrastructure safety, efficiency and sustainability.

Speaking on the conference theme, Fadayomi said the country could not build future infrastructure using only outdated practices and institutional arrangements.

He explained that digital transformation was changing how structures were designed, constructed, monitored and maintained, adding that structural engineers needed expertise in both structural mechanics and digital technologies.

According to him, artificial intelligence could support engineering analysis and design optimisation but could not replace the professional judgement and accountability of qualified engineers.

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“An algorithm may generate an engineering answer, but only a competent engineer can accept professional responsibility for that answer,” he said.

Fadayomi called for clear professional standards, consistent enforcement by regulatory authorities and government procurement policies that prioritised engineering competence, particularly in projects involving public safety.

He urged the government to support the development and use of Nigerian engineering data, strengthen infrastructure asset management and promote the responsible adoption of digital tools without compromising professional accountability.

He also called for resilience and sustainability to be incorporated into structural engineering decisions, noting that infrastructure should withstand changing environmental conditions and deliver long-term value.

Fadayomi said digital twins and structural monitoring systems could help engineers assess the condition of bridges, buildings and other infrastructure throughout their service life.

In his welcome address, the President of NIStructE, Engr. Dr Taiwo Elegba, said the conference offered practitioners an opportunity to assess existing practices, address professional challenges and develop solutions to bring Nigerian structural engineering closer to global standards.

Elegba said the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, severe storms and coastal erosion, had highlighted the need for durable and climate-resilient infrastructure.

He described sustainability as both an environmental and engineering responsibility, urging practitioners to reduce the carbon footprint of construction, optimise material use and improve the durability of structures.

The NIStructE president also stressed the need for collaboration among the institution, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and state governments to enforce building standards and protect public safety.

He said the institution remained committed to promoting excellence in structural engineering and ensuring that structures across the country met required safety and professional standards.

“The safety of our built environment rests firmly on our shoulders,” Elegba said, urging participants to develop practical solutions to improve structural engineering practice in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the 2026 Annual Conference Planning Committee, Engr. Prof. Nuruddeen Muhammad Musa, said the technical programme was designed to address the profession’s changing demands and the opportunities offered by emerging technologies.

Musa identified the key areas of focus as digital transformation through building information modelling, computational design and automation; climate resilience and adaptive structural systems; low-carbon materials and sustainable construction technologies; and AI-assisted structural analysis and design optimisation.

Other areas included digital twins and smart infrastructure monitoring, automation in detailing, fabrication and construction, and the ethical and professional implications of artificial intelligence in engineering.

He said the programme also featured a panel discussion on challenges facing Nigerian structural engineers, focusing on regulation, construction quality, professional recognition and capacity development.

Musa said the discussions were expected to produce practical recommendations for strengthening the profession and improving its capacity to address emerging infrastructure needs.

Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, represented by Engr. Olayinka Alli, called for stricter enforcement of building regulations and greater accountability among engineering professionals to protect lives and property.

He urged structural engineers to ensure that buildings were properly designed, constructed, inspected and maintained in line with established standards. He warned that poor professional practices and the use of unqualified practitioners could threaten public safety.

The conference also provided an opportunity for graduate and student members to engage with experienced practitioners, explore emerging areas of structural engineering and contribute to discussions on the future of the profession.