EWERE, Ehiwarioh Bethel

In many developing countries, the high rate of building collapses is a constant concern. It raises important questions about construction practices, enforcement of regulations, and the integrity of professionals. Lagos State, one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing urban centres, has seen a troubling trend of structural failures in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. These collapses often lead to unnecessary deaths, property loss, and economic disruption, showing deeper problems within the built environment. Despite more awareness and media coverage, the issue remains unresolved. Commonly cited reasons for building collapses include poor structural design, low-quality materials, lack of supervision, failure to follow building codes, and corruption in regulatory bodies. Yet, while these factors are often discussed, there is little clarity on which ones have the greatest impact on collapse events. This lack of prioritization makes it hard for stakeholders to focus their efforts, implement changes, or take precise preventive measures. Understanding the importance of each contributing factor is key to effectively addressing the problem. Not all causes are equally significant, and treating them as such may weaken the effectiveness of proposed solutions. There is a need for a structured approach to assess and rank these factors, especially in high-risk areas like Lagos State, where construction is both dense and fast-paced. Without this analysis, the cycle of collapse and reactive responses will likely continue