The Lagos State Government has disclosed plans to begin publishing compliance scorecards for private materials testing laboratories as part of efforts to strengthen ethical standards and quality assurance in the built sector.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, Olayinka Abdul, made this known on Wednesday during the opening of a two-day capacity-building programme organised for accredited private laboratories in Lagos.
The training, themed “The Strategic Role of Private Laboratories in Materials Testing: Through Detailed Report Writing, Data Integrity, and Quality Assurance,” was designed to improve laboratories’ capacity in data accuracy, quality assurance and transparent report writing.
Speaking at the event, Abdul described private laboratories as critical partners and co-gatekeepers in ensuring public safety within the construction sector, stressing that the government alone could not effectively monitor and test all construction materials used across the state.
She noted that reports issued by private laboratories play a major role in key construction decisions, including foundation casting, superstructure development and road construction, adding that accurate and detailed reporting remains essential for transparency and accountability.
Abdul warned against falsification or manipulation of laboratory results, stating that any laboratory found compromising professional standards risked sanctions, including delisting, de-accreditation or prosecution.
“Integrity is non-negotiable because a single falsified result can lead to building collapse and loss of lives,” she said.
She further disclosed that laboratories with poor compliance ratings during unannounced inspections could face suspension, while high-performing laboratories would enjoy priority referrals for government projects.
Abdul reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to promoting professionalism, transparency and uncompromising standards in the construction sector to ensure a safer and more resilient built environment.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Works in the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Bolanle Olukareh, cautioned laboratories against compromising professional and construction standards.
According to her, falsification or manipulation of test results could endanger lives and contribute to building collapses across the state.
She urged participants to take the training seriously, stressing that their work directly impacts public safety and infrastructure quality.
“Several lives depend on the outcome of this training. I am confident that after this programme, your technical competence will be upgraded, and you will be better equipped to safeguard public safety in the built sector,” Olukareh said.