SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL AND ITS ROLE IN INCESSANT BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM JOS SCHOOL BUILDING COLLAPSE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

According to Lace et al. (2018), a building collapses when it is no longer able to fulfil its main purpose of providing safety, stability, comfort, and satisfaction to its occupants. Building is utilised to offer sufficient shelter and protection to its occupants, ensuring their safety and preventing any risk of collapse (Busani, 2021). The building construction sector in Nigeria has shown significant growth over the past two decades, yet, it has also been plagued by several incidents of building collapse. The building industry's rapid growth has significantly contributed to the development of our economy (Ebuka et al., 2019).

Therefore, it is imperative that we thoroughly investigate the causes of building collapses in Nigeria. Various measures, both valid and incorrect, have been taken to address the need for more buildings in Nigeria in response to the population growth (Emeka, 2021). The incorrect methodology, which encompasses several practices such as use sand Crete blocks as beams, shear and load bearing walls, and substandard materials including reinforcement, cement, and concrete, has significantly led to the frequent collapse of buildings in Nigeria (Adiche et al., 2020)

Amadi et al. (2019) and Dimuna (2019) have jointly indicated that building collapse is a global phenomenon primarily driven by either man-made or natural reasons. The natural elements contributing to these events include mudflows, hurricanes, thunderstorms, earthquakes, erosion, floods, and landslides. On the other hand, the man-made variables responsible for such events are solely human errors related to design, construction methods, planning processes, and building materials. Consequently, there can be a lack of dependable data regarding the reasons for building collapses in Nigeria. Fade (2019) suggests that there has been no decrease in the occurrence of disastrous building collapses throughout time due to corruption from all parties involved, design mistakes, unqualified individuals in the system, incorrect construction methods, and various other factors. This analysis has found the deficiencies in the deployment of materials to building construction as a significant contributing factor to the collapse of buildings.

Building collapse is an unavoidable outcome of building failure, which happens when the structure deteriorates. The degradation of building structures can be ascribed to various variables including the process of ageing, design deficiencies, construction mistakes, instability in the foundation, excessive loads, inadequate steel reinforcement, subpar building materials, and insufficient maintenance (Olamilekan, 2022). The confluence of abundant precipitation and insufficient infrastructure for water management poses a substantial obstacle to the integrity of constructions in Nigeria. In Nigeria, it is commonly noticed that preexisting structures are subsiding due to water-related problems and insufficient foundations. This problem is especially prevalent in freshly built structures, as they consistently demonstrate the same difficulty during the construction process (Carter et al., 2020). Structural failure resulting in building collapse is a phenomenon that has occurred globally and is not limited to any specific region (Oni, 2022). Building collapses occur in both developing and rich countries, but the causes of such incidents in Africa warrant further analysis. In Nigeria, the causes appear to be extremely brutal, heartless, malicious, and incomprehensible. 

As stated by Lekan (2021), the causes of frequent building collapses in Nigeria cannot be attributed to common human factors like ageing, design errors, negligence, accidents, force majeure, material fatigue, terrorist attacks, and adverse environmental conditions. Instead, the Lagos State Government has identified a distinct factor as the primary cause (Gbadebo, 2022). The identified abnormal factors include inexperienced professionals, deficient foundations, under reinforcement, substandard materials, poor workmanship, hasty construction, lack of soil testing, greediness, poor supervision, and non-adherence to the country's codes of practice. This can be further categorised as: the use of low-quality or below-standard materials, a lack of knowledge about the appropriate building codes, intentionally disregarding the specifications outlined in the building codes, employing unskilled labour, inadequate supervision, the use of subpar materials, poor maintenance practices, exceeding the approved number of floors by adding extra ones, professionals engaging in conflicting interests by taking on roles or fields that seem profitable without (Rufus et al., 2020) 

Hamma-adama & Tahar (2018) found substandard materials, defective design, and insufficient building oversight as the main causes of building failures in Nigeria in their research. According to Bature (2021), almost 90.9% of the respondents stated that insufficient building supplies were the third most significant factor contributing to building failures in Nigeria. Obot & Archibong (2018) conducted a study investigating the factors contributing to building collapse in Nigeria, specifically examining the role of materials and insufficient quality control. They assert that the main materials being compromised are reinforcing steel, structural steel, and cement.

The construction sector in Nigeria has been afflicted by the utilization of inferior materials, frequently leading to the construction of buildings that lack structural integrity. The safety of children and instructors is a significant concern, especially in school buildings. The city of Jos, which serves as the capital of Plateau State, recently experienced a school building collapse. This tragedy highlights the pressing necessity to tackle the issue of the construction materials' quality being utilised in the area. Ensuring the structural soundness of school buildings is essential for creating a secure educational setting and averting potential disasters. This study examines the impact of low-quality materials on the frequent occurrence of building collapses, specifically focusing on the collapse of the Saint Academy School building in the Busa Buji neighborhood of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. This research focuses on analyzing the school building collapse in Jos to emphasize the risks associated with low-quality materials and suggest strategies for guaranteeing the security of educational infrastructures. Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The frequent and ongoing occurrence of building collapses in Nigeria is a major societal issue, often linked to the utilisation of low-quality materials in construction. An illustration of this issue can be seen in the recent structural failure of the Saint Academy School building in the Busa Buji neighbourhood of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. In spite of the presence of legislation and oversight mechanisms, the widespread use of low-quality materials nevertheless poses a significant threat to the stability of structures nationwide, endangering public safety and the long-term sustainability of infrastructure.

A study conducted by Ayedun et al., (2022) empirically investigated the factors contributing to building collapse in Nigeria. The study revealed that the main causes of building collapse in Nigeria are the utilisation of substandard building materials, inadequate workmanship by contractors, the engagement of incompetent contractors, flawed construction methods, heavy rainfall, noncompliance with specifications and standards by developers and contractors, insufficient supervision, inspection, and monitoring, structural defects, defective structural design, illegal conversion, alteration, and additions to existing structures. The research conducted by Hamma-adama et al. (2020) in academic literature has found three key factors that contribute to frequent building collapse in Nigeria: differential settlement, structural failure, and structural difficulties. These factors are all interconnected and fall under the domain of civil engineering. 

Preliminary investigation into the collapse of the Saint Academy School building in the Busa Buji neighbourhood of Jos, Plateau State, in North Central Nigeria, has indicated that the construction was defective. Samson (2024), the Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), observed that the building showed visible signs of deterioration, suggesting the use of inferior materials. Samson (2024) found that the analysis revealed ambiguity over the quantity of concrete used in the two-story construction. This occurred due to the absence of a distinct demarcation between the concrete and the steel reinforcement. Furthermore, the anchorage provided for the reinforcement of the slab was inadequate. The precise measurement is unknown since there is no distinct boundary between the concrete and the steel reinforcement. The anchorage of the slab reinforcement was inadequate. The dimensions of the foundation given for the footing were below the specified size of 1200 mm X 1200 mm (Punch, 2024). This study aims to analyze the role of poor materials in the frequent collapse of buildings in Nigeria, specifically focusing on the evidence from the collapse of a school building in Jos.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically analyze substandard material and its role in incessant building collapse in Nigeria: evidence from Jos school building collapse. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To identify the substandard materials commonly used in school building construction in Jos.

To examine the impact of substandard materials on the structural integrity of school buildings.

To assess the role of regulatory bodies in monitoring and enforcing material quality standards

To evaluate the effectiveness of current measures to prevent the use of substandard materials

To propose strategies for ensuring the safety of school buildings.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

What are the substandard materials commonly used in school building construction in Jos?

What is the impact of substandard materials on the structural integrity of school buildings?

What is the role of regulatory bodies in monitoring and enforcing material quality standards?

How effective are the current measures to prevent the use of substandard materials?

What are the strategies for ensuring the safety of school buildings?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses have been formulated to guide the study:

Ho: There is no significant impact of substandard materials on the structural integrity of school buildings.

Ha: There is significant impact of substandard materials on the structural integrity of school buildings.

1.6 Significance of the study

An essential aspect of addressing systemic difficulties and promoting sustainable development goals in Nigeria's built environment is to thoroughly examine the impact of inferior materials on building collapses, with a special focus on the Jos school building collapse.

Gaining insight into the frequency and consequences of inferior materials will provide valuable information regarding the crucial matter of public safety. Through the identification of the causative elements behind structural failures, policymakers and stakeholders can implement efficacious measures to protect lives and property.

Additionally, Nigeria's progress in infrastructure development is impeded by the frequent structural failures of buildings, resulting in economic losses and setbacks in urban planning. It is essential to tackle the problem of low-quality materials in order to achieve sustainable infrastructure development and enhance urban resilience.

Moreover, upcoming scholars will utilise it as a thorough examination of the current academic literature. Hence, anyone with a keen interest in this field of research can depend on this work as a reliable and meticulously evaluated source of information.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically analyse substandard material and its role in incessant building collapse in Nigeria: evidence from Jos school building collapse. Specifically, this study seeks to identify the substandard materials commonly used in school building construction in Nigeria, examine the impact of substandard materials on the structural integrity of school buildings, assess the role of regulatory bodies in monitoring and enforcing material quality standards, evaluate the effectiveness of current measures to prevent the use of substandard materials and propose strategies for ensuring the safety of school buildings.

The study is carried out in Jos, Plateau State. The respondents of this study are the residents and neighbors of the collapsed Saints Academy in the Busa Buji area of Jos, Plateau State

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like in any human attempt, the researchers encountered several small limits during the investigation. The primary constraint was the dearth of comprehensive literature on the topic, given the scarcity of data pertaining to substandard material and its role in incessant building collapse in Nigeria: evidence from Jos school building collapse. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to identify the suitable materials, books, or information and to collect data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its diminutive sample size and restricted geographical range, concentrating just on Jos, Plateau state. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated, thereby necessitating additional research. 

Furthermore, the researcher's restraints were predominantly attributable to financial limitations, as they are a student without a means of revenue to support themselves. The research location's high transportation costs, impacted by current inflation in Nigeria, made it difficult to afford transportation fees.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously meeting the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Building: a building is a structure with walls and a roof that is constructed for long-term use, serving as a place for human habitation, work, and storage. Buildings are architectural constructions that provide protection and accommodation for human beings, their possessions, and their various endeavors.

Building collapse: A building collapse is the sudden structural failing, partially or entirely, of a building, threatening human life and health. When internal load-bearing structural elements fail, a building will collapse into itself, and exterior walls pulled into the falling structure.

Substandard materials: Substandard construction materials are materials that do not meet quality standards and contribute to undesired consequences on the life of a building.