The House of Representatives has launched an inquiry into allegations that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) reversed its decision to shut down 18 companies involved in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, particularly iron rods.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru (APC), who urged SON to intensify efforts to eliminate fake products from the Nigerian market and ensure only quality materials are sold.
Osawaru raised concerns over frequent building collapses in Nigeria, attributing them to poor regulatory practices, substandard materials, and faulty construction processes. Citing data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, he revealed that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024, with Lagos State accounting for 56% of the incidents.
He criticized SON for allegedly reversing the closure of defaulting companies, reportedly under pressure from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment. The reversal has sparked widespread criticism, questioning the government’s commitment to enforcing quality standards in construction.
The House has now resolved to investigate SON’s actions and recommend measures to curb the proliferation of substandard building materials in Nigeria.
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