The Nigerian construction sector was placed under the spotlight at a two-day workshop hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), FCT Chapter, where stakeholders explored “Policy Shifts and Industry Trends.”
The gathering became a platform for charting a new course for the industry, with a strong emphasis on innovation and technology.
Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, who delivered a keynote address at the event, challenged the sector to shift “from blueprints to bytes.”
He urged industry players to embrace digital tools that can transform project delivery, drive productivity, and reposition Nigeria’s construction space at the cutting edge of global innovation.
According to Inuwa, digital transformation represents not just a trend but an imperative for survival in a competitive and fast-evolving market.
Represented by Dr. Yahaya Onimisi, the Agency’s Acting Director of Project Management, Inuwa underscored how emerging technologies are not just optional upgrades but necessary foundations for the future.
He highlighted specifically how Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Data Analytics, and Cloud Collaboration tools can significantly reshape the sector.
According to him, these technologies offer a sure-fire route to improve service delivery, enhance accuracy, boost productivity, and create smarter project management systems across the entire construction value chain.
“As the urgent need for modernisation is becoming more apparent, the future of construction lies in digital transformation. By embracing innovation, Nigeria’s Quantity Surveyors can drive smarter, faster, and more transparent infrastructure development,” Inuwa stated.
Highlighting the sector’s challenges, including project delays, cost overruns, inefficiencies, and resistance to change, he described digital transformation as both a disruption and an opportunity.
Inuwa further explained that embracing innovation will reposition Nigerian Quantity Surveyors (QS) from routine cost measurement to strategic, data-driven roles.
“Digital transformation is not merely about adopting new technology but about fundamentally changing business processes, culture, and skills to leverage the opportunities presented by the digital age,” he added.
While calling for stronger partnerships between NITDA and NIQS to accelerate digital adoption, the NITDA boss outlined areas for collaboration, such as capacity building, policy alignment, innovation labs, and the development of a sector-specific digital transformation roadmap aligned with the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0.
Referencing the agency’s collaboration with professional bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Inuwa asserted that with strategic investments, government support, and continuous professional development, Nigeria’s construction industry can unlock new opportunities, improve transparency, and achieve smarter project management outcomes.
“By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, investing strategically in technology, and fostering strong collaborations with stakeholders, Nigerian Quantity Surveyors can not only survive the technological disruption but also thrive in the evolving industry landscape,” he concluded.
