Nigerian construction industry at crossroads, says expert.

Mariah Johnson

A United States based Nigerian civil engineer, Taiwo Oluwatosin Olotu, has said the country’s construction industry is at a decisive point where professionalism, innovation, and transparency will determine whether it becomes a true driver of economic growth or remains limited by systemic challenges.

Olotu, a PMP with more than 15 years of construction experience in Nigeria and abroad, stressed that while the sector plays a central role in creating jobs, housing, and infrastructure, it continues to be weighed down by inadequate funding, bureaucratic delays, corruption in contract awards, and over-reliance on imported materials. “These factors frequently lead to cost overruns, abandoned projects, and delays.

In addition, gaps in safety practices and inconsistent adherence to international project management standards affect the quality and durability of infrastructure,” he said in a recent interview.

He urged the government to create a truly enabling environment through reforms in regulation, support for research into local construction materials, and prompt payment of contractors, while also confronting corruption in project execution.

“For the government, the task is to create a truly enabling environment. This includes reforming regulatory frameworks, supporting research into local construction materials, and ensuring prompt payment of contractors.

Most importantly, corruption must be decisively addressed. Without accountability, no amount of funding or planning will deliver lasting results,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria’s growing population and rapid urbanisation present an opportunity to turn the construction industry into a powerful engine of growth, provided professionals embrace innovation, modular and precast construction systems, digital project management tools, and sustainable locally sourced materials.

Beyond his advocacy, Olotu has contributed to major construction projects in Nigeria. He has been deeply committed to solving these pressing challenges through hands-on contributions to critical infrastructure.

After graduating from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Taiwo joined projects that expanded access to roads, housing, and educational facilities across the country. He played key roles in the construction of student hostels at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and at his alma mater, FUTA, where a 950-room hostel provided affordable housing for students.

In road infrastructure, his involvement in projects such as the Alagbaka–Iyioma Plaza Road in Akure, the Ipe–Ipaso–Epinmi Road in Ondo State, the Igbara-Oke–Ibuji road rehabilitation, and the provision of road and infrastructure at Karshi Zone 1 & 2 in Abuja, opened transportation corridors and stimulated local economies.

He also contributed to landmark housing projects like the BUA Estate in Abuja and the Canaan City Housing Project in Ota, strengthening community living. These contributions reflect the very solutions the Nigerian construction industry requires to overcome its crossroads: quality execution, sustainable planning, and infrastructure that meets societal needs.

With over a decade of experience in Nigeria, Taiwo expanded his career internationally, gaining exposure to global construction practices that could help address Nigeria’s systemic challenges. He contributed to the expansion of Hitachi’s Assembly Plant in Amsterdam, ensuring compliance with international quality and safety standards, before moving to the United States where he broadened his expertise through engagement in large scale residential and commercial developments.

Currently, he is advancing his academic journey in the United States, building on his industry background by pursuing higher studies and research that integrate sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure resilience.

As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Taiwo continues to deepen his professional foundation while gaining new insights into transportation systems, sustainable construction, and infrastructure planning.

In line with this progression, his pursuit of a PhD in Transportation Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign represents a commitment to expanding knowledge through research, with the goal of applying global lessons to strengthen Nigeria’s construction and transportation sectors.

At a time when Nigeria’s construction industry is seeking new directions, Taiwo Olotu represents the bridge between challenges and solutions. His local experiences in Nigeria have given him a deep understanding of the recurring problems, delays, cost overruns, and poor quality delivery, while his global exposure has armed him with the capacity to solve them.

Colleagues describe him as a professional who combines grassroots problem solving with international best practices, making him uniquely positioned to contribute to Nigeria’s future infrastructure. For him, every project is more than just bricks and mortar, it is an opportunity to deliver sustainable, functional, and people centered development. In an industry at a crossroads, his journey illustrates the path forward: leveraging global knowledge to build resilient local solutions.