NITDA Charts Digital Future for Nigerian Construction Sector

NITDA Charts Digital Future for Nigerian Construction Sector

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA September, 2025 - The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has called on Nigeria’s construction industry to embrace digital transformation by integrating technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Data Analytics into project delivery. According to him, the sector must move “from blueprints to bytes” to boost productivity, improve service delivery, and strengthen transparency.

Inuwa made this call while delivering 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. Represented by Dr. Yahaya Onimisi, NITDA’s Acting Director of Project Management, he stressed that emerging technologies are no longer optional but critical foundations for innovation and competitiveness in the construction value chain.

He noted that Nigeria’s construction sector continues to grapple with challenges such as project delays, cost overruns, inefficiencies, and resistance to change. However, he described digital transformation as both a disruption and an opportunity, one that can reposition Quantity Surveyors (QS) from routine cost measurement roles to strategic, data-driven functions that drive smarter infrastructure development.

While urging stronger collaboration between NITDA and NIQS, Inuwa identified areas such as capacity building, innovation labs, policy alignment, and a sector-specific digital roadmap as crucial steps toward digital adoption. He pointed to NITDA’s ongoing partnerships with professional associations like the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) as models of how technology can transform industries.

Concluding, the NITDA boss said the future of construction lies in digital adoption and continuous innovation. “By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, investing strategically in technology, and fostering strong collaborations, Nigerian Quantity Surveyors can not only survive the technological disruption but thrive in the evolving industry landscape,” he said.