Stakeholders in Nigeria’s construction industry have called for a review of government policies to bridge the nation’s housing deficit and strengthen the $108 billion sector.
They made the appeal at the opening of the three-day Big 5 Construct Nigeria Exhibition in Victoria Island, Lagos.
An architect from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Patrick Ogunleye, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the private sector and government to provide affordable housing and sustainable solutions.
Speaking on the importance of healthy living spaces, Ogunleye urged Nigerians to embrace climate-friendly buildings, noting that well-designed structures promote good mental health.
“According to the National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS), people spend 86.9% of their time indoors.
We must use environmentally friendly materials and passive design techniques as more people move to cities.
Solutions should address urban density, including multi-storey buildings,” he said.
Industry stakeholders identified major challenges facing the sector, such as over-reliance on imports, unstable power supply, multiple taxation, weak vocational training, and low demand for local products.
Mr. Emeka Azuh, a technical adviser, emphasized the impact of skills shortages, complex supply chains, and economic volatility on construction projects.
“Our challenges are numerous, ranging from high fuel dependency for equipment, logistics bottlenecks, and fluctuating exchange rates to reduced demand for local materials,” he noted.
The exhibition’s organizer, Ms. Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President of Dmg Events, highlighted that the event provides networking opportunities, showcases innovations, and supports Nigeria’s Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan.
“Big 5 Talks returns in 2025 with over 26 CPD-certified sessions to support professional growth.
This exhibition aligns with Nigeria’s infrastructure growth and economic diversification drive,” she said.
Over 161 exhibitors from 20 countries, including China, Italy, Ghana, Dubai, and Nigeria, are showcasing climate-friendly building materials and technologies at the exhibition, which runs until Thursday.
Exhibitors urged government to harmonize taxes and introduce incentives to encourage investments and create jobs for Nigeria’s youth.
The event is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors and strengthen collaboration across public and private sector players in the construction ecosystem.
Reporting Yemisi Dada