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The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called on Nigeria’s construction sector to shift “from blueprints to bytes” by adopting digital technologies that will transform project delivery, boost efficiency, and drive innovation across the value chain.
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Speaking at a two-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), FCT Chapter, Abdullahi delivered a keynote address titled “Digital Transformation in the Nigerian Construction Industry.” The event, themed “Policy Shifts and Industry Trends,” set the stage for a digital mandate that could redefine Nigeria’s built environment.
Digital Tools Driving the Future of Construction
Represented by Dr. Yahaya Onimisi, Acting Director of Project Management at NITDA, Abdullahi highlighted the role of emerging technologies such as:
- Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Blockchain
- Data Analytics
- Cloud Collaboration tools
These innovations, he said, are not optional upgrades but critical foundations for improved service delivery, accuracy, productivity, and smarter project management systems.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Abdullahi identified persistent sectoral challenges such as project delays, cost overruns, inefficiencies, and resistance to change. He emphasized that digital transformation presents both a disruption and an opportunity, urging Quantity Surveyors to move 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,” Abdullahi said.
NITDA–NIQS Collaboration for Digital Adoption
The NITDA boss called for stronger partnerships between the agency and NIQS to accelerate adoption of digital solutions in construction. He proposed collaboration in areas such as:
- Capacity building and professional training
- Policy alignment with industry trends
- Establishing innovation labs
- Developing a sector-specific digital transformation roadmap aligned with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0)
Drawing from NITDA’s collaborations with professional bodies like the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Abdullahi said similar partnerships could fast-track digital transformation in construction.
Building a Future-Ready Industry
Abdullahi concluded by stressing that continuous learning, strategic investments, and stakeholder collaboration are critical for success.
“By embracing innovation, Nigerian Quantity Surveyors can drive smarter, faster, and more transparent infrastructure development while positioning the country’s construction sector at the forefront of global digital transformation,” he said.
