What Nigerians Can Learn from the Last Earthquake in Thailand

Kenny Akintola

When a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake recently hit Thailand, the world watched in awe. Bangkok’s skyscrapers, some as tall as 60 floors swayed like palm trees in a storm but didn’t fall. Over 90% of their buildings survived intact. Meanwhile, here in Nigeria, even a strong breeze can leave a new building leaning like the Tower of Pisa—or worse, collapsing entirely.

In 2023 alone, Nigeria recorded 52 building collapses, with Lagos alone contributing 17 incidents. And guess what? Not one earthquake. Not even a minor tremor. Just normal Lagos rain and our usual construction wahala.

This stark contrast begs the uncomfortable question: why can Thailand survive an earthquake and Nigeria can’t survive its own contractors?

The Hard Truth: Thailand vs. Nigeria

1. Enforcement vs. Eye Service

In Thailand, building codes are not “suggestions”—they are sacred laws. Cut corners and you end up behind bars. In Nigeria? Regulations dey, but enforcement na story. You hear about inspections only after disaster has struck. The phrase “pass inspection” often means “pay your way through.”

2. Accountability vs. Audio Threats

Thai contractors know that shoddy work will cost them their license, career, and maybe their freedom. Nigerian developers? They collapse one building today, open a new site next week. Committee will be set up, white papers will be produced, and life moves on—until the next collapse.

3. Prevention vs. Fire Brigade Approach

Thailand spends heavily on prevention—earthquake-resistant designs, material testing, and real inspections. Nigeria? We prefer fire-brigade solutions. Something collapses? Set up a panel, shed tears, release statements. Repeat cycle.

Our Unique Nigerian Problem: Why High Rises Are Rare

Let’s face it: Nigeria doesn’t even have that many tall buildings. True high-rises (say 30 floors and above) are rare for four major reasons:
• Money Wahala: Building tall costs plenty dollars. Many developers are already struggling to fund 5-floor projects, let alone 40-storey skyscrapers.
• Technology Gap: Modern high-rise construction needs specialized technology—earthquake dampers, deep foundation pilings, high-grade materials. Most local contractors are simply not equipped for it.
• Maintenance Culture (or Lack Thereof): Even the few skyscrapers we have from the 60s and 70s, like Independence Building (TBS Lagos) and Cocoa House (Ibadan), are mostly shadows of their former glory today. Roofs leak, elevators don’t work, and walls crumble quietly.
• Fear of Collapse: Let’s be honest, in a country where even 3-storey buildings collapse, who wants to risk living or working on the 28th floor?

Regulation: A Capital City Problem

Only a handful of states in Nigeria have anything resembling a functional building control agency. Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) tries its best—on paper at least. FCT Abuja has its Development Control Department. But in most states? Regulatory agencies are either weak, underfunded, or non-existent.
In some places, the “building inspector” is just one man with a motorcycle, a biro, and dreams.

Who’s checking soil tests? Who’s ensuring quality of materials? Who’s monitoring load-bearing capacities? In many states, nobody. That’s the bitter truth.

What We Must Do: Not Tomorrow, Now
1. Fund and Empower Regulatory Agencies

No agency should be approving plans from behind a desk. Field officers must inspect, test, and report. Equip them. Pay them well. Sack and jail the ones who collect bribes.
2. Punish Offenders—Seriously

Contractors who use bad materials must face criminal charges. Developers who approve shoddy designs must be blacklisted forever. No more “we are investigating” press conferences.
3. Design for Disaster

Floods are now common in Nigeria. Minor tremors have been reported in Abuja, Kaduna. We must design for resilience—not hope for the best.
4. National Building Insurance Scheme

Mandate that developers have insurance covering construction failures. If you know you’ll pay millions in damages, you’ll think twice before using expired cement.
5. Educate the Public

Teach Nigerians to ask questions. Know your contractor. Demand to see certifications. Don’t buy property just because it’s painted nicely with glossy brochures.

Closing Thoughts: It’s Not a Curse

Our buildings don’t collapse because we are cursed. They collapse because we allow greed, incompetence, and laziness to run the show.

Thailand showed the world what planning and standards can achieve—even in the face of natural disasters. Nigeria can achieve it too—without earthquakes to motivate us.
We need:
•Contractors who build like their families will live there.
•Government officials who regulate without looking for “brown envelopes.”
•Citizens who demand better and refuse to settle for less.
Until then, every new construction site in Nigeria remains a game of Russian roulette.
When will we learn? Hopefully before the next tragedy.

BuildNigeriaRight

Editor’s Note:
This article is dedicated to the many Nigerians whose lives have been lost to preventable building collapses. They deserved better. We all do. ‘
‘In Nigeria we no fear earthquakes,na the contactor we fear pass’
Until next time stay safe .

Kenny Akintola
Chief facility officer
Express business support (EBS)