Abakaliki, Ebonyi State — July 22, 2025
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered a full investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Pentagon Lodge, which housed students of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo.
The directive, issued on Saturday through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, comes amid growing public concern over the safety of residential buildings in student communities.
Governor Nwifuru expressed dismay over the recurring incidents of building collapse in the state, attributing many of them to human error and non-compliance with construction standards.
“It is disheartening to hear about building collapse in this era when we have skilled manpower and well-established professional standards,” the governor lamented.
Call for Accountability and Regulatory Oversight
The governor charged regulatory bodies and professional institutions to strengthen oversight and ensure strict adherence to approved building procedures.
“I have directed the Ministry of Capital City Development to ensure that any developer wishing to embark on building projects must obtain proper approval. The lives of our people are precious and cannot be compromised under any guise,” he said.
Nwifuru also called on professional associations such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Building to uphold the integrity of their professions.
“Their integrity is at stake. I urge them to ensure that building collapse becomes a thing of the past in this country.”
Culprits Will Face the Law
While assuring the public of a transparent investigation, Governor Nwifuru promised that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. He also advised property developers to always engage certified professionals for building projects.
“This administration will not tolerate negligence, corner-cutting, or compromise in construction practices. We owe it to our people to ensure their safety,” he added.
Background
The collapsed building, located near the university, reportedly housed student tenants. Although no fatalities had been confirmed at the time of reporting, eyewitnesses described the incident as terrifying, with residents narrowly escaping harm. A video shared online captured the dramatic moment the structure crumbled.
The state government had previously set up a committee to probe similar incidents after another collapse near the university’s teaching hospital earlier this year.
