A high-level committee has been formed by the federal government to investigate why the Saint Academy building collapsed in the Busa Buji community of Jos North. The tragic event happened on Friday, July 12, 2024, and led to the deaths of 22 schoolchildren, with many others getting injured. The committee was officially started in Jos by Prof. Samson Duna, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute for the North Central Zone.
Prof. Duna shared that the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Geofrey Nnaji, ordered the creation of this committee to look into the Saint Academy building collapse. Early investigations have already shown several problems. Observations at the scene show structural distress, issues with the quality of concrete due to poor reinforcement between concrete and steel, not enough anchorage of slab reinforcements, and foundation sizes that are smaller than required (1200mm x 1200mm).
Prof. Duna stressed the importance of following building regulations, ensuring quality control, maintaining professionalism, and having effective monitoring and evaluation in construction practices. He pointed out that building collapses in Nigeria are becoming alarmingly frequent. He also called on all involved parties to prioritize public safety and raise awareness about building projects.
