Concrete technology seen as key solution to Nigeria’s building collapse crisis

Nigeria has experienced many cases of building collapse over the years, resulting in significant loss of lives and property. Data indicates that from 2010 to 2020, 48 buildings fell in major urban areas—an increase of 77 percent from the decade before. To tackle this ongoing crisis, industry professionals are urging the use of lightweight concrete technology, particularly for high-rise structures.

Dr. Okey Eze, the CEO of Axion Engineering, highlighted that lightweight concrete can play a major role in preventing structural failures because it weighs far less than traditional concrete. By reducing the overall load on a building, he explained, the technology helps improve safety and stability.  He noted that lightweight concrete provides several advantages, such as lowering dead loads, offering better thermal insulation, speeding up construction, and enhancing durability. These qualities make it particularly suitable for tall buildings.

Conventional concrete weighs about 2,400 kilograms per cubic meter, while their proposed lightweight concrete system comes in at roughly 1.5 to 1.7 kilograms per cubic meter, Dr. Eze said. That difference has a significant impact on a building’s structural integrity. Dr. Eze also pointed out that Axion Engineering, an indigenous manufacturing company, produces innovative building materials designed to deliver smarter, stronger, and longer-lasting structures. He added that the Federal Ministry of Works has approved the company’s products.

Industry stakeholders who attended the launch event commended Axion for championing modern construction approaches. Catherine Kadiri, Managing Director of CM Star Services Limited, stressed the importance of solutions that are both innovative and practical. The future lies in technologies that help them build durable roads, safe homes, and reliable infrastructure, she said. Dr. Eze called on the government to go further by mandating the use of innovative building materials and ensuring that lightweight concrete systems are included in construction specifications.