An assessment of key indicators for sustainable construction practices in Nigeria: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Sustainable construction practices have gained prominence due to the failure of the traditional means of construction to effectively handle environmental issues. This study therefore, assesses key indicators of sustainable construction practices in Nigeria using a mixed-method approach. A structured questionnaire was administered to 263 construction professionals. Also 3 focus group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted with 28 participants to gain qualitative insights across Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. The study utilised the mean ranking and relative important index as statistical measures for the quantitative data while the thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data using SPSS version 25 and NVivo version 15 respectively. The study identifies energy efficiency, waste reduction, and preservation of natural resources as the most critical sustainability indicators. Challenges such as high costs, inadequate regulatory enforcement, and limited stakeholder engagement however hinder widespread adoption. The findings highlight the need for policy interventions, capacity-building initiatives, and the integration of key performance indicators (KPIs) to enhance sustainable construction practices. By connecting sustainability awareness with effective implementation, this study contributes to the discourse on green construction and provides recommendations for improving sustainability outcomes in the Nigerian construction industry.