NIQS Kaduna Urges Shift to Sustainable Construction Practices Amid Climate Challenges

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Engr. Babatunji Adegoke has tasked the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, Kaduna State Chapter, with ensuring that construction professionals nationwide abandon conventional building methods for sustainable, low-carbon practices to address climate change, fast urbanization, and new global financing requirements.

He made the assertion during a recent engagement in Kaduna while presenting a paper to members of the institute.

Adegoke noted that the construction sector remains one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, energy consumption, and waste generation, stressing that sustainability has become essential for the future of infrastructure development.

According to him, Nigeria’s growing demand for roads, housing, and public infrastructure cannot continue under traditional development models.

“With Nigeria’s expanding population and increasing infrastructure needs, there is an urgent need to adopt development methodologies that support growth without undermining environmental sustainability,” he said.

Adegoke emphasised that sustainability should no longer be viewed as a voluntary environmental initiative but as a strategic imperative for the construction industry.

He identified key priorities including reducing carbon emissions and energy use, conserving natural resources through effective waste management, and ensuring economic sustainability by balancing initial project costs with long-term operational benefits.

He added that green construction projects must remain commercially viable to help bridge Nigeria’s housing and infrastructure gap while meeting international climate obligations.
Global Trends Driving Change
Highlighting factors shaping the future of the industry, Adegoke said growing global efforts to reduce carbon emissions are accelerating the transition to resilient and low-carbon construction practices.

He noted that financial institutions and investors increasingly require compliance with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards before approving project financing.
According to him, access to capital is becoming more dependent on a project’s long-term environmental performance.

He also observed that government regulations and building codes are becoming stricter, requiring industry players to align with both national and global carbon reduction targets.
Promoting Green Materials and Digital Innovation.

Adegoke called on quantity surveyors to lead the adoption of environmentally friendly construction materials, including low-carbon concrete, bamboo composites, geopolymer cement, and recycled steel.

He said these alternatives can lower dependence on carbon-intensive materials while maintaining structural quality and preserving natural resources.

He also highlighted the growing importance of digital technologies in construction delivery.
According to him, tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and clash detection systems can reduce design errors, minimise waste, and improve project efficiency.

He urged professionals to embrace lifecycle costing by assessing not only initial project expenses but also long-term environmental and economic impacts, including carbon accounting and sustainable procurement.
Youth, Technology and Future Development
Adegoke said Nigeria’s youthful and technology-driven population presents an opportunity to accelerate innovation within the sector.

He identified technologies such as artificial intelligence-driven analytics, digital twins, IoT integration, and BIM as key enablers of efficient cost management and improved asset performance.

He further called on government to strengthen enforcement of green building standards and support industry-wide capacity development in areas such as lifecycle costing, carbon monitoring, and ESG-compliant procurement.

He stressed that future infrastructure development should prioritise net-zero buildings, renewable energy solutions, and circular economy principles.

The meeting attracted quantity surveyors, contractors, and government officials who explored practical approaches to integrating sustainability into both public and private sector projects across Kaduna State.