The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on Nigeria’s construction industry to embrace digital transformation by adopting technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Blockchain to drive innovation and efficiency.
Inuwa made the call in a keynote address titled *“Digital Transformation in the Nigerian Construction Industry”* at a two-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), FCT Chapter. The event, themed *“Policy Shifts and Industry Trends,”* brought together stakeholders to explore new directions for the sector.
Represented by Dr. Yahaya Onimisi, Acting Director of Project Management at NITDA, the DG stressed that emerging technologies are no longer optional upgrades but essential tools for the industry’s future. He noted that BIM, AI, Data Analytics, Blockchain, and Cloud Collaboration could improve project delivery, reduce delays, enhance accuracy, and foster smarter project management systems.
“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 said.
He identified common industry challenges such as project delays, cost overruns, inefficiencies, and resistance to change, describing digital transformation as both a disruption and an opportunity. According to him, innovation would reposition Quantity Surveyors from routine cost measurement roles to strategic, data-driven functions.
Inuwa also emphasized that transformation requires not just technology adoption but changes in business processes, culture, and skills. He called for stronger collaboration between NITDA and NIQS in areas such as capacity building, policy alignment, innovation labs, and the development of a digital transformation roadmap aligned with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0.
Highlighting similar partnerships with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), he said strategic investments, government support, and continuous professional development would unlock new opportunities for the construction sector.
“With a mindset of continuous learning and strong collaborations, Nigeria’s construction industry can not only survive the technological disruption but thrive in the evolving landscape,” the NITDA boss added.
