The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has boldly called for change, urging Nigeria’s construction industry to embrace digital technologies that can revolutionize project delivery, increase productivity, and place the industry at the forefront of innovation. In a two-day workshop hosted by the FCT Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), the DG gave a keynote address titled “Digital Transformation in the Nigerian Construction Industry” and described the instruments of this upcoming revolution. The event, themed “Policy Shifts and Industry Trends,” provided the perfect launchpad for this digital mandate. 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. He claims that these technologies provide a surefire way to raise productivity, improve accuracy, improve service delivery, and develop more intelligent project management systems throughout the whole 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. Project delays, cost overruns, inefficiencies, and resistance to change are just a few of the issues facing the industry. He characterized 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. ”Nigerian quantity surveyors can not only survive the technological disruption but also thrive in the changing industry landscape by adopting a mindset of continuous learning, making strategic investments in technology, and cultivating strong collaborations with stakeholders,” he concluded.
Leave a Reply