Taiwan’s Representative and Head of Mission in Nigeria, Mr. Andy Yih-Ping Liu, has expressed his country’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in addressing recurring cases of building collapse and challenges within the real estate sector.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of FIABCI (Nigeria Chapter) in Lagos, Liu recommended adopting aspects of Taiwan’s development model to promote higher construction standards and strengthen real estate growth in Nigeria. He emphasized that strong government regulation, coupled with active collaboration between the public and private sectors, is key to achieving safer and more sustainable buildings.
Drawing from Taiwan’s experiences with natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, Liu explained that his country had been able to overcome severe challenges by strictly enforcing construction standards. He suggested that Nigeria could also benefit from similar regulatory frameworks, strict compliance by contractors, and the use of quality materials.
According to him, government agencies must play a central role in monitoring construction projects, ensuring that architects, engineers, and builders adhere to approved designs and regulations. Regular inspections, he said, should involve both government regulators and professional bodies to prevent structural failures.
Liu highlighted Taiwan’s expertise in large scale construction projects such as the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper as an example of the technical knowledge Nigeria could draw from. He explained that real estate development is not only about erecting buildings but also about integrating housing, commercial spaces, and urban planning with reliable transportation systems to improve quality of life.
He further noted that while Nigeria does not face earthquakes like Taiwan, it does experience flooding, which also poses serious risks. For this reason, he proposed closer cooperation between the emergency response agencies of both countries to exchange strategies for disaster management and resilient housing development.
“Public and private sectors must work hand in hand to prevent building collapse. Taiwan’s lessons from dealing with disasters can serve as a valuable guide for Nigeria,” he concluded
