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By Godswill Michael
The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has issued a nationwide warning over increased flooding and structural failure risks as rainfall activity intensifies in 2026, urging property owners, estate developers, and facility managers to take urgent preventive measures.
The warning follows CORBON’s review of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which indicated an early to normal onset of rains, extended rainy seasons in several states, above-normal rainfall in key regions, and severe dry spells in others.
According to the council, these weather patterns present “heightened risks to buildings, infrastructure, and human safety across the country,” particularly in vulnerable and flood-prone communities.
In its recent advisory released in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Bldr. Samson Opaluwah, CORBON said it was acting in its statutory role as the regulatory body for the building profession in Nigeria to “prevent avoidable losses and ensure the resilience and safety of the built environment during the 2026 rainy season.”
CORBON highlighted several climate risk patterns expected in 2026, including:
Longer-than-normal rainy seasons in Lagos, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Anambra, Kwara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe, and Taraba.
Above-normal rainfall in Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Enugu, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Severe dry spells in Oyo, Ogun, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
The council warned that these conditions increase the likelihood of “flooding, erosion, roof damage, foundation distress, and service disruptions.”
CORBON urged building owners and estate managers to prioritise maintenance and preparedness across critical infrastructure components.
On building roofs and envelopes, the council advised stakeholders to “repair loose roofing sheets, damaged trusses, and leaking joints,” while also clearing gutters, ensuring proper roof pitch, and reinforcing waterproof membranes.
For drainage systems, it recommended desilting gutters, downpipes, culverts, and estate drains, as well as regrading surfaces to channel water away from buildings. It further advised the installation of flood barriers in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
On structural safety, CORBON called for inspection of foundations for cracks, settlement, and erosion, stressing the need to stabilise wet areas using laterite, gravel, or geotextiles, and to monitor retaining walls for hydrostatic pressure buildup.
The council also raised concerns about electrical safety during heavy rainfall, advising property owners to “elevate generators and electrical panels above flood levels,” waterproof external conduits and junction boxes, and ensure sump pumps are functional with backup power available.
To address dampness and indoor air quality, CORBON recommended sealing windows, doors, and expansion joints, improving ventilation, applying anti-mould coatings, and inspecting basements for moisture intrusion.
For landscaping and external works, it advised pruning trees, removing unstable branches, reinforcing embankments in erosion-prone areas, and maintaining permeable surfaces to reduce runoff pressure.
At the estate management level, CORBON called for the establishment of a Rainy Season Preparedness Committee, training of staff on emergency water diversion and safety protocols, and maintaining “a lot of inspections, repairs, and drainage maintenance.”
Safety warning and public advisory
The council cautioned that neglecting maintenance could significantly worsen the impact of seasonal rains.
“Blocked drains, neglected roofs, and poor site management significantly increase the risk of flooding and structural failure,” the advisory stated, adding that preventive maintenance is “far more cost-effective than emergency repairs.”
CORBON further advised property owners to engage only certified professionals for building inspections and remediation work.
“For professional guidance, inspections, and implementation of this advisory, CORBON strongly encourages all property owners and estate managers to consult only Registered Builders certified by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria,” it stated.
The council concluded with a public safety message: “Engage a Builder. Protect your investment. Safeguard your community.”