Jide Taiwo & Co. Raises Alarm Over Building Collapse at UNILAG Career Day

Jide Taiwo & Co., a leading firm of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, has raised concerns over the persistent cases of building collapse in Nigeria, warning that disregard for professional standards and regulatory requirements continues to endanger lives and property across the country. The firm made the observation during its Job Fair and Career Day 2026 held at the University of Lagos, where it also announced cash rewards and automatic employment opportunities for outstanding graduating students of the institution's Department of Estate Management.

Unqualified Personnel and Skipped Approvals at the Root of the Problem

Speaking at the event, Estate Surveyor and Valuer with Jide Taiwo & Co., Bashiru Tajudeen Olalekan, attributed the rising incidence of building collapse to non-compliance with statutory approvals and the engagement of unqualified personnel in construction projects. He said many property developers often sidestep professional processes and employ inexperienced craftsmen instead of qualified architects, engineers and builders, thereby compromising structural integrity.

It is when you don't get the necessary and requisite approvals that causes all these building collapses. If you look at it critically, the professionals involved in these projects rarely consider a building they handled collapsing, except they choose to go the other way around the project.

— Bashiru Tajudeen Olalekan, ESV, Jide Taiwo & Co.

Olalekan acknowledged the efforts of regulatory agencies such as the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning, noting that periodic inspections were already being carried out. He maintained, however, that the agencies must move beyond inspection to strict enforcement if the crisis is to be meaningfully addressed.

Building collapse may continue to threaten lives and property across the country if established regulations are not strictly adhered to.

— Bashiru Tajudeen Olalekan

₦1 Million in Scholarships, Automatic Jobs for Top Graduates

In a move aimed at promoting excellence and attracting more young professionals into estate surveying, Olalekan announced a ₦1 million scholarship and reward package for outstanding UNILAG students. The firm will present ₦500,000 to the overall best graduating student in the Department of Estate Management and another ₦500,000 to the best female graduating student. Beyond the monetary rewards, the first three best graduating students in both male and female categories will receive automatic employment offers from the firm.

Faculty Leadership: Classroom Knowledge Is No Longer Enough

Earlier, Prof. Olumide Adenuga, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, underscored the importance of industry exposure and career development in preparing students for future professional challenges, noting that interactions between students and practitioners help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. Head of the Department of Estate Management, Prof. Hikmot Adunola Koleoso, urged students to embrace innovation, practical learning and continuous professional development to remain competitive in the evolving real estate industry.

Ayeni: "We Sowed the Seed — We Must Continue From the Cradle"

Also speaking, ESV Adebiyi Ayeni of Jide Taiwo & Co. described the initiative as part of the firm's broader commitment to mentoring the next generation of estate surveyors and valuers. He said the company, incorporated in 1980, considered it necessary to give back to society after more than four decades of contributing to the profession's growth.

Our firm has been in existence since 1980. This is about 46 years. We have produced many Surveyors and Valuers who are today chief executives of their own firms. We sowed the seed and we believe we should continue from the cradle by helping young people understand the profession and prepare for it.

— Adebiyi Ayeni, ESV, Jide Taiwo & Co.

Ayeni expressed optimism that the day's presentations would inspire students who had not previously considered estate surveying as a career. He further disclosed that the Career Day is an annual programme through which the firm visits institutions across different states to promote awareness of the profession.

This is not the only institution. It is something we do annually. We move from one state to another and from one institution to another to enlighten students. It is largely about advocacy for the profession.

— Adebiyi Ayeni