LAGOS (AFP) - A residential building in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos collapsed on Saturday, killing four sleeping children, a rescue agency spokesman said.

The four were aged between eight and 23 and had a common father, Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) said.

"All the four were recovered dead. Three of the dead were of the same mother. The fourth victim was the child of another wife. They were sleeping when the house collapsed.

"The collapse was due to early morning heavy rainfall. A mudslide hit the room where they were sleeping and the building caved in, killing them," he said.

Building collapses are common in Nigeria, particularly during seasonal rains.

Sub-standard building materials and lack of planning permission are often contributory factors.