In a bold call for change, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has urged Nigeria’s construction industry to move from blueprints to bytes by adopting digital technologies that can transform project delivery, boost productivity, and place the sector at the forefront of innovation.
Delivering a keynote presentation titled “Digital Transformation in the Nigerian Construction Industry” at a two-day workshop organized by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), FCT Chapter, Inuwa outlined the tools of this digital revolution. Represented by Dr. Yahaya Onimisi, Acting Director of Project Management, he emphasized that Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Data Analytics, and Cloud Collaboration are no longer optional but necessary foundations for the future.
According to him, these technologies present a clear pathway to improving service delivery, enhancing accuracy, and building smarter project management systems across the construction value chain. “As the urgent need for modernisation becomes 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.
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Digital Transformation in Nigeria’s Construction Industry
Highlighting the sector’s recurring challenges—project delays, cost overruns, inefficiencies, and resistance to change—Inuwa described digital transformation as both a disruption and an opportunity. He explained that embracing innovation would reposition Nigerian Quantity Surveyors from routine cost measurement to more 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 of the digital age,” he said.
The NITDA boss called for stronger partnerships between his agency and NIQS to accelerate digital adoption through capacity building, policy alignment, innovation labs, and the creation of a digital transformation roadmap aligned with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0.
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He also referenced the agency’s collaborations with professional bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), noting that with strategic investments, government support, and continuous professional development, Nigeria’s construction industry can unlock new opportunities, improve transparency, and achieve smarter project 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,” Inuwa concluded.
