Why Nigeria Must Prioritise Infrastructure Quality over Speed

Infrastructure is the backbone of any modern economy. Roads, bridges, drainage systems, and buildings shape our cities and determine the quality of life for millions. Yet, in Nigeria, the rush to complete projects quickly often comes at the cost of quality and durability. This mindset leads to premature structural failures, costly repairs, and even loss of lives.

As a civil engineer with decades of experience in construction, geotechnical engineering, and building control, I have seen firsthand how cutting corners on materials, ignoring geotechnical studies, and bypassing regulatory standards lead to long-term disasters. If we want a sustainable and resilient Nigeria, we must rethink our approach to infrastructure development.

The Problem

Fast but Fragile Infrastructure
Many Nigerian construction projects suffer from poor quality due to these critical issues:
Lack of Proper Soil Testing

Many roads and buildings are constructed without thorough geotechnical analysis, leading to foundation failures and premature deterioration.
Use of Substandard Materials

Contractors often compromise on cement, steel, and aggregates to cut costs, resulting in weak structures.
Poor Drainage Systems
 
Many urban roads lack proper stormwater drainage, causing flooding and erosion that weakens roads and damages nearby properties.

Corruption and Poor Regulation
      
Some contractors win bids based on low-cost proposals, leading to subpar execution that ignores safety standards.
The Consequences of Ignoring Quality; Frequent road failures and potholes, leading to higher maintenance costs.

Building collapses, resulting in loss of lives and property

Erosion and flooding, damaging communities and businesses. Higher long-term costs, as poor infrastructure needs constant repairs and rebuilding.

The Solution: A New Approach to Infrastructure Development
To prevent future disasters, the government, engineers, and contractors must work together to: mandate geotechnical investigations before any construction begins, enforce strict quality control measures to ensure materials meet required standards, invest in durable drainage systems to prevent erosion and flooding, implement independent monitoring agencies to inspect projects at every stage, and hold contractors accountable for substandard projects, including blacklisting non-compliant firms.

Nigeria cannot afford to keep repeating the same mistakes. If we truly want to build a nation with sustainable infrastructure, we must prioritise quality over speed. Infrastructure should be built to last—not just to meet short-term political or economic goals.

Adedapo Aderemi Gabriel
Writes from Lagos