By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
A serious concern has been raised that Nigeria’s construction sector is facing a deepening crisis marked by systemic
inefficiencies, corruption and inadequate capacity, a development experts warn is undermining its role as a key driver of economic growth.
This concern was raised by Prof. Luqman Oyekunle Oyewobi of the Department of Quantity Survey, Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, during its 124th Inaugural Lecture series, held on Thursday 9th April 2026 at the institution’s main campus.
Describing the industry as an “ailing
elephant,” the Professor of Quantity
Surveying (Construction Economics and Management), said that the sector has been weighed down by long standing structural challenges that require urgent and comprehensive reforms.
In his lecture, the expert provided a
historical overview of the industry, tracing its roots to early civilisation while noting that Nigeria’s trajectory has been significantly shaped by colonial policies that prioritised resource extraction over national
development.
He explained that infrastructure such as railways and ports built during the colonial era primarily served external trade, leaving behind a legacy of regional imbalance, weak domestic capacity and dependence on imported materials and expertise.
According to him, post-independence expansion efforts in the 1960s and 1970s were largely driven by government investment but were later hindered by political interference, economic instability and overreliance on public funding.
These challenges, he noted, led to widespread project delays and abandonment, further worsened by the impact of the Nigerian Civil War on infrastructure and skilled manpower.
Oyewobi highlighted the country’s housing deficit, estimated at 28 million units, as a major concern, attributing it to rapid urbanisation and rising construction costs that have placed formal housing beyond the reach of many citizens.
He added that the situation has contributed to the growth of informal settlements across urban centres.
The expert also pointed to significant gaps in transport infrastructure, noting that uneven investment has concentrated development in major cities while leaving other regions
underserved.
Poor road networks, congested
ports and unreliable rail systems, he said, continue to increase logistics costs and delay project delivery.
He further identified energy instability as a major constraint, explaining that construction firms’ reliance on generators due to inconsistent power supply raises operational costs by as much as 30 percent.
Water and sanitation infrastructure, he added, suffer from underfunding, weak procurement systems and poor maintenance culture, resulting in the early failure of many completed projects.
A key issue highlighted in the lecture with the theme: The Nigerian Construction Industry: The Ailing Elephant – A Menu of Cure, was corruption in procurement processes, including inflated contracts, political patronage and lack of transparency.
Oyewobi who is the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FUT, Minna Chapter noted that these practices, alongside weak regulatory enforcement and poor project management, have contributed to frequent building collapses, safety violations and declining
public trust.
He also raised concerns over the shortage of skilled labour in the sector, revealing that more than 60 per cent of workers lack formal technical training.
This, he said, has resulted in low
productivity, frequent rework and continued reliance on foreign expertise.
To address these challenges, Oyewobi called for urgent reforms, including the adoption of transparent and data-driven procurement systems such as e-procurement and improved public-private partnership frameworks.
He also advocated the integration of digital technologies like building information modelling, artificial intelligence and automated construction methods to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Other recommendations included strengthening regulatory institutions, enforcing building codes and investing in technical and vocational education to close the skills gap.
He further emphasised the importance of sustainable construction practices, including green building techniques and renewable energy integration.
Oyewobi stressed that revitalising the sector would require coordinated efforts among government, the private sector and academic institutions, urging policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and implement practical solutions.
He however warned that continued inaction could further weaken the industry’s contribution to national development, calling for deliberate steps to “heal the ailing elephant” through accountability,
innovation and strategic investment.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, commended the lecturer for his insightful analysis and practical recommendations, noting that the issues raised are central to national growth and development.
He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting research, innovation and partnerships aimed at addressing challenges in the Construction sector.
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