National Building Code: Key to Sustainable Built Environment, the Challenges of Implementation and Enforcement (A Case Study of Yobe State, Nigeria)

Abstract

The National Building code, a key to a sustainable built environment, evolved from the planlessness of towns and cities, frequent collapse of buildings, fire infernos, and dearth of referenced designed standards for professionals, influx of non-professionals, use of sub-standard materials, lack of adequate regulations and sanctions against offenders. In view of the deplorable situation of the built environment, in 2021 the Yobe State Government had to step up to enforce compliance with of the town planning regulations in the state. This paper looked at the challenges of implementation, awareness level and strategies for enforcement of compliance with the National building code by professionals and contractors in Nigeria, with Yobe State as a case study. The survey conducted, revealed that with low level of awareness, the level of implementation of the National Building code and relevant building/planning regulations by professionals is low as most of them made no reference to these documents. The level of enforcement is low and ineffective, mostly due to lack of political will on the part of state authorities concerned. All states and local governments should enact legislation to make the code effective, enforceable and offenders sanctioned. The National Building code should be introduced into the school curricular so that it can be offered as a course in faculties/schools of environmental studies so that future professional knowledge would be acquired with the code.