By Dele Taiwo

Oluwafemi Samson Afolabi, a Nigerian researcher and then undergraduate civil engineering student, has developed a cutting-edge framework for analyzing and optimizing the load‑bearing capacities of beams, slabs, and columns.

His work, initially published in the Communications in Physical Sciences journal, has since attracted significant attention from leading industry players and government agencies.

Afolabi’s study, “Load-Bearing Capacity Analysis and Optimization of Beams, Slabs, and Columns,” which comprehensively evaluates how geometry and material selection influence structural capacity, gained national relevance following the tragic collapse of a 21‑storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, in November 2021.

This disaster exposed the urgent need for structural integrity reforms in Nigeria’s high‑rise construction sector.

“Our buildings need to be not just strong, but intelligently designed,” Afolabi emphasised. “We can’t keep relying on outdated empirical designs when optimization tools exist to build safer, smarter, and more sustainable structures.”

In close proximity to the collapse site, reportedly, the Nigerian government had recently awarded the construction of six 24‑storey multipurpose buildings to Krystal 12 Limited.

Upon reviewing Afolabi’s research, the company’s engineering management noted: “Afolabi’s optimization method aligns with our commitment to safety and efficiency. His data-driven approach offers a clear pathway to elevate our structural designs while ensuring resource sustainability.” Engr. Saheed Salihu, Lead Civil Engineer, Krystal 12 Limited noted.

Krystal 12 Limited offered Afolabi the role of Project Engineer, joining their core team to apply his optimization framework directly to the structural design of these flagship developments.

Afolabi’s methodology employs regression modeling and advanced statistical analysis to quantify the impact of geometric properties—particularly beam width and depth—on load capacity.

His findings challenge conventional safety margins used in Nigeria, showing that over‑conservative factors can result in significant material underutilization, optimised designs guided by his model reduce material waste without compromising safety, and real‑world validation through small‑scale load tests confirmed a 10–15% material efficiency gain in structural members.

“By replacing blanket safety factors with data‑calibrated values, we not only reduce costs but also improve sustainability and resilience in construction,” Afolabi noted in the published study.

His work has been acknowledged by several leading construction firms and structural design consultants in Lagos and Abuja, many of whom have expressed intent to integrate his techniques into future projects.

According to industry observers, Afolabi’s model offers a timely solution as Nigeria grapples with underdeveloped regulatory frameworks and a heightened rate of infrastructure failure.