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On June 11, 2025, a devastating incident shook Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, when a section of a fence under reconstruction at the state-owned Kwara Hotel collapsed, claiming the lives of two construction workers and leaving another critically injured. The tragedy, which occurred on Tuesday, has sparked outrage over safety concerns at the high-profile renovation project, raising questions about oversight and accountability.
According to SaharaReporters, the workers were buried under the rubble while working on the ongoing rehabilitation of the iconic Kwara Hotel, a project led by foreign contractor Craneburg Construction Company. Despite being rushed to Sadiku Hospital on Unity Road for emergency treatment, two of the victims were pronounced dead on arrival. The third worker remains in serious condition.
A source close to the incident revealed to SaharaReporters that the workers had previously flagged the fence’s structural weaknesses to the contractor, but their concerns were allegedly ignored. “This is heartbreaking. These deaths could have been prevented if safety protocols were followed on such a major project,” the source said, speaking from the Janaza burial ground alongside representatives of the contractor. “It’s a deeply unfortunate situation.”
Kwara State Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, clarifying that the collapsed structure was an old fence separating the hotel from a neighboring facility. “It’s truly saddening. Three workers were badly injured when the fence gave way yesterday. Despite first aid and emergency care at the nearest hospital, two didn’t survive,” Ajakaye stated. He added that the families of the deceased have been contacted by the facility managers.
The Kwara Hotel renovation, valued at N17.8 billion and awarded to Craneburg in 2024, has been mired in controversy. The project, aimed at transforming the hotel into a five-star facility over 24 months, drew criticism earlier when All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Mustapha Mashood, a former governorship aspirant, called the budget “unjustifiable” in a January 2024 open letter to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Mashood claimed his company had bid N3 billion for the same work, labeling the N17.8 billion cost a “waste of scarce resources.” Additionally, SaharaReporters noted on October 10, 2024, that the state spent N6.5 billion on the hotel in three months, outpacing investments in healthcare and water infrastructure.
The collapse has intensified scrutiny of the project, with calls for accountability over worker safety and the use of public funds. As the community mourns, the incident underscores the need for stricter safety measures on construction sites across Nigeria.
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