Expert urge Nigeria’s construction sector to adopt stronger systems

Nigeria’s construction industry is facing renewed calls for reform as experts urge stakeholders to replace weak project structures with stronger systems that can improve delivery, coordination and long-term growth.

The concerns were raised by Abiodun Odewale, chief executive officer of Cemex Portals Ltd., during the recently concluded Industrialised Construction Conference held in London, where professionals from across the global construction sector discussed factory-based building methods and the future of the industry.

Speaking after the conference, Odewale said Nigeria’s construction sector has the talent required to compete globally, but continues to struggle because many projects lack clear systems, proper planning and coordinated execution.

“The biggest challenge in the Nigerian design and construction sector is not the absence of talent, rather, it is the absence of repeatable systems. Nigeria has brilliant architects, engineers, builders, designers, project managers, artisans and developers. But many projects still struggle because talent is not always supported by strong systems, clear processes and disciplined execution. Good ideas are often weakened by poor planning, weak supervision, unclear briefs and fragmented coordination,” he said.

Nigeria’s construction sector plays a major role in housing delivery, infrastructure development, employment and urban growth. However, industry players continue to face recurring problems such as project delays, rising building costs, poor documentation, weak communication among stakeholders and disputes linked to unclear project responsibilities.

According to Odewale, many construction projects begin with drawings, budgets and timelines without enough attention given to risk assessment, project scope and long-term planning. He warned that this often leads to cost overruns, redesigns and disputes during execution.

“Many projects begin with drawings, budgets and timelines, but without enough clarity on scope, risks, responsibilities and long-term value. When this foundation is weak, delays, cost overruns, redesigns and disputes become likely,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of documentation in the sector, noting that many completed projects are only presented through photographs instead of detailed records that can help the industry learn from previous work.

According to him, project documentation should include lessons from both successful and unsuccessful stages of execution to help guide future developments and improve decision-making across the industry.

Odewale further called for the development of construction playbooks that can guide planning, procurement, supervision, communication, quality control and project close-out.

“Such systems help teams deliver with greater consistency, speed and quality. Technology must also play a bigger role. Digital tools should help construction teams communicate better, track progress, control costs, reduce errors, improve accountability and deliver better outcomes,” he stated.

He also urged stronger collaboration among architects, engineers, developers, financiers, manufacturers, policymakers and artisans to improve knowledge-sharing and industry coordination.

While speaking on lessons from the London conference, Odewale said Nigeria must adapt global ideas to local realities rather than copy foreign systems directly.

“We must learn, adapt and localise ideas to address our current realities, including rising material costs, affordability concerns, unstable supply chains, infrastructure gaps, land issues and regulatory delays,” he said.

As demand for housing and infrastructure continues to grow across Nigeria, stakeholders say the sector must shift from informal practices to structured systems that can improve delivery standards, reduce waste and support sustainable growth.