*Photo: Prof. Oluwaseyi Awodele*
A Professor of Quantity Surveying and Procurement Studies at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Oluwaseyi Awodele, has proffered measures that could make the construction industry in Nigeria less risky.
He also advocated effective risk management strategies as critical driver for achieving sustainable development in the construction industry.
Oluwaseyi Awodele made the call while delivering the 201st Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, titled Integrating Procurement Models, Risk Management and Stakeholders’ Expectations for Sustainable Development. The event held on Tuesday June 23rd, 2026.
He said “the construction industry has been plagued by risks which invariably have affected its performance in terms of meeting its goals or stakeholders’ expectations. These risks can be managed, minimized, shared, transferred, or accepted but cannot be ignored. For sustainable development, an effective risk management procedure, which consists of risk identification, risk analysis and risk response must be put in place in order to achieve value for money.”
Identifying risk factors in the construction industry, the don said in a contribution to a discourse on risk management in construction project, it was identified that price fluctuation, delay in progress payment by clients, clients-initiated variations, delay in settlement of contractual claims and unforeseen ground conditions as the most significant and major causes. He listed political, economic, social and environmental as other risks factors.
Speaking from his perspective as a professional Quantity Surveyor, he said “quantity surveyors possess specialised competence in cost forecasting, contingency planning, contract administration, and value analysis skills that are directly relevant to risk identification, quantification, allocation, and mitigation.”
Awodele emphasized that sustainable development in construction and infrastructure delivery could only be achieved through a holistic approach that aligns procurement systems with effective risk management practices and the expectations of project stakeholders.According to him, traditional procurement approaches that focus mainly on cost reduction are no longer sufficient in addressing modern environmental, economic, and social sustainability challenges.
He explained that contemporary construction projects are increasingly exposed to risks such as climate change, inflation, technological disruptions, policy inconsistencies, and supply chain uncertainties, stressing the need for proactive and integrated management frameworks. “The future of sustainable development depends largely on how effectively procurement strategies, risk management techniques, and stakeholders’ interests are harmonized throughout the project lifecycle,” he stated.
Prof. Awodele further noted that stakeholders, including clients, contractors, host communities, regulatory agencies, and investors, now demand greater accountability, transparency, environmental responsibility, and value for money in project execution. He advocated the adoption of collaborative procurement systems, digital technologies, and innovative project delivery methods to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure sustainability in infrastructure development.
The don, currently the Director of Academic Planning at FUTA also underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement in minimizing project conflicts, improving decision-making processes, and enhancing public trust in construction projects.
Speaking on the challenges confronting sustainable development in Nigeria, he identified inadequate policy implementation, poor risk allocation, corruption, insufficient technical expertise, and weak institutional frameworks as major impediments to progress.
He therefore called on government agencies, professional bodies, academic institutions, and private sector participants to strengthen collaboration and invest in research, innovation, and capacity building to address emerging challenges in the construction industry.
The don also recommended the establishment of National Construction Industry Development Council (NCIDC) to harmonise policies, drive innovation, and monitor industry performance. He also called on Universities and professional training institutions, including FUTA, to reposition their quantity surveying curricula beyond technical measurement to encompass integrated project delivery, risk analytics, sustainability economics, stakeholder management, and digital innovation.
Awodele, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) and past Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter expressed optimism that with the right policies and integrated management approaches, Nigeria could achieve resilient and sustainable infrastructure development capable of supporting economic growth and improving citizens’ quality of life.
The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji who Chaired the event, commended the inaugural lecturer for his scholarly contributions to the field of quantity surveying and sustainable construction management.
She described the lecturer as a focused academic who has added value to the University in various ways in addition to churning out graduates who are making waves in and outside Nigeria.