• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Plaster of Paris (POP) ceilings collapse is now a recurring phenomenon in many homes, resulting in damages, injuries and palpable threat to life. This situation has beamed the searchlight on the activities of unskilled craftsmen in the building industry. They appear to have smeared the image of the building profession in recent past, leading to the germane inquiry into construction quality and the safety of POP installations, ALAO ABIODUN writes. What began as an ordinary Tuesday morning for Mr. Adekunle Adekoya ended in disarray when the POP ceiling of his newly built house came crashing, injuring three members of his family. Adekoya was sitting in the parlour with his children, watching a television programme when the unfortunate incident happened. The beautiful chandelier at the center of the ceiling broke and got shattered, whilst he and his children struggled beneath the fallen POP ceiling. He told our correspondent that it took the intervention of his wife and domestic workers to quickly help them out of the situation. The collapsed POP ceiling with its particles littering the whole living room was a shocking sight to behold. Unfortunately, this disturbing scenario is now fast-turning into a regular occurrence in the nation's construction industry. And when one considers the attendant loss of properties, it is a worrying trend and frightening one. In 2025, some prominent celebrities in Nigeria experienced this same disturbing occurrence. Could it be coincidence? The separate incidents reinforce an unknown fear that one minute, it's an aesthetically-pleasing ceiling glowing above; the next, it's a reminder that beauty can fall apart without warning. From shoddy developers to weak regulations, the blame for rising POP collapse is certainly enough to go around; but ultimately, all the blame would seem to revolve around two key shortcomings: unskilled workers and cost cutting. In general, over the last 20 years, Nigeria has witnessed a significant increase in building collapse, leading to loss of lives and property, and displacement of families. Similar incidents in the past Like a repetitive scenario for the Adekoyas, Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing narrowly avoided injury when a section of the POP ceiling in her Lekki home suddenly collapsed. The actress posted a video showing the damage and expressed her shock, saying she had never witnessed anything like it before. Nkechi also noted that the POP fell very close to her newly purchased vehicle and could have caused greater damage. Another Nollywood actress and producer, Bolaji Ogunmola, also came out lucky. For her, it was a traumatic experience. Before her very eyes, her sitting room's Plaster of Paris (POP) ceiling also collapsed suddenly. It was the same story with content creator, Rico popularly known as "Billionaire Gateman," as his POP ceiling suddenly collapsed, trapping him underneath. Fortunately, he survived and was swiftly rushed to a nearby hospital. Popular skit maker, Zicsaloma, was also not left out in the growing list of POP mishaps. The incident occurred shortly after some members of his team, who had been camping at his residence for three days, left the room. The skit maker added that no one was injured, except for the ceiling fan which got damaged. He said: "Na God dey save person. I was sleeping upstairs. I just heard a sound in my sleep. I woke up, confused about what was happening. I was even scared of going down, thinking my building was collapsing. Thank God it was just the fan that broke. All the POP just came down. That is why it is good to get good artisans to build your house. They will tell you they are trained, so try to verify." Shoddy workmen behind collapses Experts in the construction industry opine that shoddy workmanship is often behind structural failures and that this is often facilitated by officials who compromise their site supervisory duties as well as property owners who in their apparent ignorance or selfishness want to get more for less. A member of Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, Engr. Chinedu Ogbonna said: "So far, these POP ceiling collapses, unfortunately, have continued to happen, especially in areas that we can refer to as urban centres, where professionals and professionalism should be extolled to the highest. This is quite bad and saddening. This is a call to relevant regulatory agencies to be alive to their responsibilities." Similarly, many reports on recurring general building collapses have attributed such incidents to use of substandard materials and engagement of incompetent or unqualified artisans. Also, non-compliance with specifications and standards due to weak supervision has been cited as factors. Just like frequent building collapses, many POP ceilings collapse at the construction stage, while some collapse when fully occupied, resulting in injuries, sometimes, fatalities. Whether improperly constructed or ill-maintained, these ceilings collapse like packs of cards. For example, Lagos State building laws stipulate that every construction site must have a registered builder overseeing the technical aspects of the building production process. However, this law, as fundamental and critical as it is, has often been flouted with impunity, despite several calls by professional builders for stricter enforcement. Checks by The Nation revealed that the cost of POP ceilings varies from ₦12,000/sqm, depending on the outlook and design. For example, for a three-bedroom bungalow, what is needed includes: 30 bags of POP cement for 60sqm. A bag of POP cement goes for between N10,800 and N11,000. Notably, one must understand that these POP ceilings do not collapse by accident. Findings revealed that they collapse because somewhere along the chain of planning, approval, construction, or supervision, individuals choose to compromise." Further investigation by our correspondent reveals weak building structure; a mix of bad workmanship, poor-quality materials, and the absence of proper professional oversight. Many POP installations today lack critical supports, such as steel anchors, moisture barriers, and certified adhesives. The result: sagging, cracking POPs, and eventual collapse. From Asbestos to POP ceiling In the past, especially before the1990s, asbestos were the norm and were commonly used as ceiling in homes and buildings. However, the thirst for more home beauty, aesthetics and health concerns have meant more people opting for the POP, even though some have remained stuck with it, especially in old buildings. According to the World Health Organisation, asbestos is a severe cancer-causing agent, causing about half of all deaths from occupational-related types of cancer. Asbestos was once widely used due to its heat-resistant properties, but science has since shown how dangerous it can be. Today, experts have strongly advised that homeowners asbestos ceilings in their homes and seek professional inspection when unsure. For many years, asbestos has been used in buildings as a fireproof material. It is often found in insulation, floor tiles, and other areas in the house. There are many safe alternatives, such as gypsum, PVC, POP ceilings, and more, that offer similar benefits without the harmful effects. Experts have disclosed that people living in houses with asbestos roofs and ceilings, as well as lead-containing paints and pipes, are at risk of chronic headaches, abdominal pain, lung cancer, infertility and developmental difficulties in children. According to Section 14 (I) of the National Environmental (Constructions Sector) Regulations, 2011, "the use of asbestos at construction sites is prohibited." Section 13 (8) notes, "The use of lead-based paints for painting of building structures and/or other infrastructure is hereby prohibited." The Lagos State Government in 2018 alerted the public against the use of asbestos as a ceiling in homes, stating that it could cause cancer. It noted the State Government stopped the use of asbestos for ceiling because of its carcinogenic effect; we now use PVCs (plastic) in our estates and buildings. In an Asbestos.com article written in April, it was disclosed that international health organisations canvassed for a global ban as far back as 2010. The paper also discloses that the World Health Assembly asked the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2007 to launch a global campaign to "end" asbestos-related diseases. This was an indirect campaign against countries that still use asbestos. Furthermore, at the 66th World Health Assembly in 2013, the WHO proposed a "global action" meant to be sustained between 2013 and 2020. It enumerated a set of policies that would manage and curtail non-communicable diseases, one of which was putting an end to the worldwide use of all types of asbestos. According to the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, 55 nations have banned asbestos. Asbestos Nation also reiterates this but notes that China, Russia, India, and Canada are exempted. Asbestos has been banned in several countries, except for Mexico, according to the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency. According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos has tiny fibres in them. When these tiny fibres escape into the atmosphere, people breathe them in, and it predisposes them to long-term health hazards. These fibre particles become trapped in the lungs, and when they become accumulated, they cause scarring and inflammation. These conditions can trigger serious health problems for them. The paper also reports the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which mentions "sufficient evidence" that asbestos causes mesothelioma (cancer of thin membranes, which lines the chest and abdomen) and cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovary. However, the IARC also mentions that there is limited evidence on whether asbestos causes stomach, pharynx and colorectal cancers. The American Cancer Society (ACS) also corroborates that outcome. Enter Plaster of Paris Plaster of Paris is used for plastering the internal walls as well as making false ceilings in homes. It is also used to cast decorative elements like mouldings, Cornish, etc. It is prepared by heating gypsum crystals. It is a cheaper solution to the time-consuming and ecologically straining process of sand cement plaster. It is used extensively in many countries for general building operations which have the specific requirements for light weight and high fire resistance. The origins of plaster of Paris can be traced to Montmartre in North Paris, where it was extensively mined from. As described by 'S.C. Rangwala' (Author of Engineering Materials book), Plaster of Paris is prepared by heating gypsum crystals at the temperature of 160-170 °C (248-356 °F). It loses about 14.7% of its water content in the form of steam. The resulting product is the hemihydrate of calcium sulphate and it is known as first settle plaster or the "Plaster of Paris". POP is manufactured as a dry powder and is mixed with water to make a paste when used. It was used to create some of the most important artworks of the Renaissance period, including Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, which was painted on a thin layer of wet Plaster of Paris. Reasons for frequent POP ceiling collapse Many factors have been attributed to the rising occurrence of POP ceilings collapse, having become a major concern to professionals. For example, a building that was originally designed to bear three floors and later converted to bear two additional floors, without consulting a structural engineer, may collapse and affect the POP ceilings due to overload and consequent over-stress of the foundation. The foundation may have been designed to bear only three floors without taking future expansion into consideration. It is pertinent to note that it is the duty of the structural engineer to certify the structural integrity of a structure, especially when it comes to changing its use. Building expert, Engr. Kazeem Adesola said: "Most of these developers who are not professionals in the construction world, keep on constructing with direct labour instead of engaging well-established construction companies for a good job. "Developers who are more or less like businessmen will be recruiting workers to carry out construction and POP designs. The risk involved is high. This is now common in Lagos and other towns in Nigeria, even Abuja." Many professionals have attributed the crisis to poor regulatory oversight, substandard construction practices, and widespread disregard for planning standards by developers and contractors. Others have blamed lack of enforcement of the National Building Code during construction processes and infiltration of the sector by quacks for the recurring menace. A Lagos-based building expert, Nathaniel Ebenezer while giving a breakdown into the typical process involved, explained that improper mixing ratio i.e incorrect water-to-POP ratio can cause the mix to be too weak or too brittle, thereby leading to collapse. He stated that factors such as: "Low-grade POP or adulterated materials can weaken the structure. "If the ceiling surface isn't properly cleaned or primed, the POP won't adhere well; water from leaking roofs, plumbing, or air conditioning can adversely weaken the POP and cause it to fall. "Also, movement due to settling, earthquakes, or nearby construction activities can crack and detach POP. POP designs that are too thick or heavy may fall if not properly supported. "Not allowing the POP to set and cure properly can weaken its bond and strength; and lastly, rodents or termites can damage the ceiling structure that supports the POP". Laxity in regulation, enforcement of building codes As urbanisation accelerates and the demand for housing rises, the pressure to build quickly, hastily and cheaply often leads to compromised standards. Experts believe that relevant authorities are expected to make critical changes to the construction sector as it concerns building inspections, approvals and enforcement. Several other factors have been fingered as causes of overall building collapse; among them the failure of the supervisory and regulatory role of the state's building control agencies and other agencies, such as the Materials Testing Laboratory saddled with laboratory tests and services on soil, concrete, steel, chemical, calibration, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and geo-technics for buildings. Others are the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN). The Nigerian Institute of Architects, National Council on Housing and Urban Development are some of the professional regulatory bodies saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring professionalism and ethical standard in the construction industry. The main issue here, as agreed by experts, is the involvement of quacks in construction, which remains a threat to safety. When untrained individuals handle technical tasks, the risk of mishap increases drastically. POP ceiling collapses in Nigeria is, however, preventable. Fortunately, many of these collapses have not come with human casualties. With disciplined adherence to building plans, competent supervision, quality materials and vigorous enforcement of standards, it can be said that home owners can significantly reduce these recurring disaster. Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/aesthetics-turn-hazard-as-recurring-pop-ceilings-collapse-raises-safety-concern/