It is a sobering thought, but most experts would agree that we are relying far more on luck than on structural engineering when it comes to major seismic events. While Nigeria sits on a relatively stable tectonic plate, our building codes are rarely enforced with the rigor needed for disaster resilience, and the prevalence of substandard materials in rapid urban developments remains a serious concern. Even if the seismic risk is low, our infrastructure struggles to withstand common environmental disasters like flooding, which suggests we are not adequately prepared for more extreme shocks. Ultimately, while we do not experience earthquakes often, the lack of widespread adherence to international building standards means that a significant tremor would likely lead to catastrophic outcomes in densely populated areas like Lagos. Moving forward, the focus needs to shift from simply putting up structures to ensuring that rigorous safety audits and quality control become the standard rather than the exception.