Sustainability Barriers in Nigeria Construction Practice

Abstract

The struggles to practise sustainable construction are not gaining the desired traction in Nigeria. This study established the likely barriers to successful application of sustainable construction in the Nigeria construction industry and factors to overcome the possible barriers. A quantitative approach was used for the study and a questionnaire survey was conducted among the professionals and other stakeholders. A descriptive method was used in analysing the collected data. Among the highly ranked sustainability barriers to construction practice are poor sustainability education in academic institutions, lack of incentives for designers to facilitate sustainable design, ignorance of lifecycle cost benefits, sustainable construction regarded as low priority and other issues take priority, and resistance to cultural change in the industry. The research recommends adequate sustainability education in academic institutions to positively impact the required cultural change in the industry. There is call for proper government policies that support implementation of sustainable construction practices. The study also advances the need for construction professionals and stakeholders to embrace the concept of sustainability education through continuing professional development and or postgraduate studies to improve the thinking and practicability of sustainable practice of construction in Nigeria.