As global climate negotiations unfold at COP30 Belem, Brazil, one of the revelations that has caught media attention is that global GHG emissions are still rising and that the world may be headed for a 2.5oc temperature rise by the end of the century. With the effects of climate change already weighing heavily on us in Nigeria, it has become imperative to factor climate resilience in fabric of every sector. One of the sectors where urgent action is required in Nigeria is the building sector.
Globally, buildings account for 37% of greenhouse gas emissions, consume 40% of the world’s energy, and use 16% of water annually (UNEP, 2024). Cement, the backbone of construction in Nigeria, is responsible for emitting over 11 million tonnes of CO₂ every year, according to UNEP (2023). We also face a housing deficit of over 24 million units, with more than 75% of existing homes classified as substandard by government and industry assessments. This has fueled a sprawling informal construction boom that often overlooks climate resilience, increasing dependence on diesel generators, straining waste management systems, and leaving millions vulnerable to environmental hazards. In 2012, catastrophic floods displaced 2.1 million people and caused an estimated ₦2.6 trillion in damages. Another 600,000 people were displaced during the 2018 floods, underscoring the growing threat of climate-related disasters(UN-Habitat, 2024). Meanwhile, Nigerian cities grow at over 3.5% annually and Nigeria ranks 162 out of 180 countries in the 2022 Environmental Performance Index, a painful reminder that we are falling behind.
The spaces where we live shape how we adapt to climate change. Stronger building codes mean safer homes, fewer lives lost to disasters, and cities that thrive rather than crumble. Nigeria has introduced climate policies such as the NDC pledging 20% unconditional emission reduction and 47% conditional emissions reduction by 2030, the Climate Change Act (2021), the National Building Code, and the Building Energy Efficiency Code (2017). Yet these commitments have not translated to practice. The gap is not one of ambition but a lack of enforcement.
Nigeria’s building regulations exist, but are rarely enforced consistently with implementation heavily impeded and compromised by local politics and corruption. Informal construction remains widespread due to limited technical expertise and weak institutional oversight.
Lagos State exemplifies the complexity of Nigeria’s urban regulatory landscape. Securing a building permit involves navigating 17 distinct procedures over an average of 118 days. Faced with such delays, developers rationally choose to bribe officials for expedited permits or to build informally without permits. These practices undermine code compliance and heighten safety risks. While regulatory agencies have the mandate to inspect and enforce standards, enforcement tends to be reactive rather than preventive, often triggered only after structural failures or public outcry. At its core, this is a governance challenge, not just a technical one.
Yet change is possible. Kenya updated its National Building Code in 2024 to mandate rainwater harvesting, heat mitigation, energy efficiency, and Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, making climate resilience legally required, not optional. India’s Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code establishes tiered compliance levels, allowing developers to choose standards that match their project budgets while maintaining baseline performance. These example are recent, tested, and can apply to Nigeria.
Strengthening codes alone will fail without simultaneously investing in enforcement capacity, institutional integrity, and professional accountability. Research has shown that the issue isn’t a lack of laws, but a failure to enforce them effectively. The gap between Nigeria’s codes and their implementation is not knowledge; it is institutional will that requires action on three fronts:
First, we must integrate climate resilience into the National Building Code itself. Mandatory provisions must address energy efficiency, water conservation, flood resilience, and embodied carbon with clear standards tied to climate zones, including inclusivity requirements for disabled or vulnerable occupants, ensuring resilience serves all populations, not just the able-bodied. This integration must reflect Nigeria’s actual emissions and vulnerabilities.
Secondly, we need to reform enforcement. Permitting processes must be streamlined to eliminate corruption incentives. Multi-agency coordination must be simplified. Professional oversight must be strengthened with clear liability. Training for building officials must be mandatory. The adoption of transparent online permitting systems can significantly reduce opportunities for corruption by minimizing human discretion and increasing accountability. Critically, state and federal oversight is essential as local authorities alone cannot bear the full weight of enforcement.
Thirdly, we need to create market incentives that reward excellence. Kenya offers a compelling model by pairing mandatory building standards with voluntary green certification schemes that unlock financing benefits. Nigeria could adopt a similar dual-track approach. Mandatory standards would establish the baseline for compliance, while voluntary certifications would encourage developers to aim higher, offering access to concessional financing, faster permitting, and recognition for sustainable performance.
With 24 million housing units needed and millions more to come, Nigeria faces a transformational opportunity. Each new building is an opportunity to construct smarter, more resilient structures. Enforcing standards sets a precedent, and holding developers accountable strengthens norms. By strengthening and enforcing building codes, construction shifts from national liability to national asset. The benefits are far-reaching: reduced repair costs, healthier living, job creation, innovation in local materials, and greater resilience to climate shocks.
If we fail to act, the costs will be staggering. The cities we build today will shape generations to come. We can settle for incremental tweaks or seize the chance to build lasting resilience. We can treat building codes as bureaucratic hurdles or embrace them as essential tools for public safety and climate adaptation.
The real question facing Nigeria is not whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to.
By Ifeoma Adenusi
Society for Planet and Prosperity, Nigeria
