*Photo: Participants at a high-level Stakeholders’ Engagement organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR)*
The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has reaffirmed its commitment to safer, more resilient, and sustainable infrastructure through the domestication of regulations that will make subsurface geological and geotechnical investigations a mandatory prerequisite for infrastructural development across the State.
This was the focus of a high-level Stakeholders’ Engagement organised by the Ministry with the theme: “Domesticating the Regulation of Pre-requisite Subsurface Geological/Geotechnical Investigation for Infrastructural Development in Lagos State.”
The engagement brought together government agencies, professional regulatory bodies, academia, engineers, geologists, consultants, and other stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening regulatory standards that will enhance public safety, improve construction quality, and safeguard infrastructure investments.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Mrs. Ibilola Kasunmu, described the engagement as a significant milestone in Lagos State’s drive to institutionalise scientific subsurface investigations as a mandatory requirement for infrastructure development.
She noted that as one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities, Lagos continues to witness unprecedented investments in roads, bridges, housing, water infrastructure, and other critical public assets.
According to her, every successful infrastructure project begins with a proper understanding of subsurface conditions.
Engr. Kasunmu explained that the proposed regulatory framework is designed to strengthen professionalism, improve quality assurance, protect lives and investments, and ensure that geological and geotechnical investigations comply with internationally accepted standards. She assured stakeholders that the initiative is intended to complement existing development approval processes rather than create additional bottlenecks for developers.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Registrar of the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG), Professor Opafunsho Zaccheus, commended Lagos State for taking proactive steps towards establishing high standards for geological and geotechnical investigations. He stressed that collaboration among government, professional bodies, academia, and practitioners remains essential to improving public safety and achieving sustainable infrastructure development.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Tomide Akinnawa, applauded the Ministry’s initiative and emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the Ministries of Energy and Mineral Resources, Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Works and Infrastructure. He also clarified the distinction between geological and geotechnical investigations while reaffirming that every profession must operate within its statutory responsibilities.
Former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe reaffirmed the Ministry’s statutory responsibility for coordinating geological services and subsurface investigations in Lagos State. Drawing from her years of public service, she underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration in promoting safe and sustainable infrastructure development.
Representatives of the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs. Awolesi Ayodeji, and the Ministry of Housing, Engr. Stephen Adeniyi, also pledged their support for the initiative, acknowledging the importance of integrating geological intelligence into planning and construction approval processes.
The engagement featured two technical presentations. The first, titled “Geology, Urban Resilience and Mega City Attainment,” was delivered by Professor Olatunji Sheba Akinade of the Department of Geology, University of Ibadan. He highlighted the critical role of geological intelligence in building resilient cities, noting that sustainable urban development depends on scientific planning, sound engineering practices, institutional collaboration, and a proper understanding of subsurface conditions.
The second presentation, titled “Strengthening Pre-Construction Foundation Investigation in Lagos State,” was delivered by Dr. Adeolu Waliu Kayode, who advocated a robust regulatory framework that would ensure only qualified and accredited professionals undertake geological and geotechnical investigations.
He also proposed the accreditation of service providers, digital certification of reports, the establishment of a central geological database, risk-based compliance monitoring, and continuous professional development as key measures for safeguarding infrastructure and boosting investor confidence.
Further insights into the proposed implementation framework were provided by Engr. Adegoke Kuseju of the Ministry’s Geological Services Department, who presented the proposed business process and certification procedures for geological and geotechnical investigation reports.
In his closing remarks, Dr. (Engr.) Akindele Apata commended the Ministry for convening the engagement and urged stakeholders to sustain collaboration in developing a practical, transparent, and enforceable regulatory framework capable of reducing structural failures and improving infrastructure resilience across Lagos State.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs. Olabisi Akinpelu of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, who expressed appreciation to all participants for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders towards the successful implementation of the proposed regulations.
The stakeholder engagement attracted distinguished participants from government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, professional bodies, and the private sector, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the domestication and implementation of the proposed regulatory framework.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to collaborate in making prerequisite subsurface geological and geotechnical investigations an integral part of infrastructure development in Lagos State, thereby promoting safer construction practices, protecting lives and property, and supporting the State’s sustainable development agenda.
