AN ASSESSMENT INTO THE CAUSES OF BUILDING COLLAPSE IN AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

ABSTRACT Building collapses in Nigeria present a significant and ongoing challenge, with multifaceted causes contributing to the high incidence rates. This study concludes that the primary factors behind building failures include design faults (50%), construction site faults (40%), and product failures (10%). Key professionals often implicated in such failures are architects, structural engineers, contractors, and planning authority officials. A critical issue is the failure of architects and, particularly, structural engineers to ensure the correct specifications and sizes of reinforcements are utilized. Additionally, the inadequacies of town planning authorities in enforcing compliance with architectural and structural design principles before granting approvals exacerbate the problem. Structural failures become widely recognized due to the severe consequences they entail, including fatalities and serious injuries, which bring to light the professional negligence involved. This study highlights the urgent need for stringent regulatory oversight and professional accountability to mitigate building collapse incidents in Nigeria.