The Iron Rod and Steel Dealers Employers Union of Nigeria has issued a strong warning over the ongoing production and circulation of substandard iron rods, calling it a major threat to public safety. The alert follows the recent collapse of a three-storey building in Rivers State that left several Nigerians injured.
Chief Gbenga Awoyale, the union’s National President, described the issue as a failure of regulation and political will. He highlighted that official reports linking building collapses to low-quality materials confirm what industry stakeholders have long known, pointing to systemic weaknesses in enforcement and oversight.
Awoyale criticized the National Assembly’s inability to translate awareness into decisive action. He referenced past interventions by lawmakers, media investigations, and stakeholder engagements, noting that several attempts to summon regulatory bodies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have been frustrated by non-compliance and institutional resistance.
The union also revealed that some manufacturers produce substandard iron rods for the domestic market while exporting compliant products to neighbouring countries. Awoyale alleged that oversight at SON, particularly in Lagos State, has been compromised, allowing unsafe products to remain widely available.
Awoyale urged the immediate removal of the Lagos SON head, an independent investigation, and for the National Assembly to assert its constitutional oversight authority. He stressed that these measures are critical to protect lives and prevent further tragedies, warning that buildings will continue to collapse if systemic corruption and regulatory lapses persist.
