Curbing the Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic in the Nigeria Construction Industry through Digitalization of Operations and Processes

Abstract

Digitalization of the construction sector would ensure continuity of operations and protection of industry assets by reducing risks resultant from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined Covid-19 impact on the construction sector in Nigeria, identified digital technologies applicable to construction activities, and assessed the prospects and challenges of digitalization of construction processes in Nigeria. This quantitative study lasted eleven months, with a structured questionnaire administered to a stratified sample of 324 construction personnel chosen from a study population comprising Architects, Engineers, Builders, and Quantity surveyors with over 5 years of practice experience selected from small, medium and large construction contracting and consulting firms in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The study revealed permanent job loss, project abandonment, cost overrun, time overrun, claims, and litigation arising from construction disputes, as the most significant impacts of the pandemic on the industry. Building information modelling (5-7D), artificial intelligence and machine learning augmented reality, drones, wearable technologies, were identified as major digital technologies that would innovate traditional construction activities in response to the pandemic. The study revealed prospects of construction digitalization in Nigeria in the areas of research, innovation, commercial development, and marketing. Technological backwardness, low financial capacity, lack of government support, lack of public-private partnership was identified as the major barriers. The study concludes that digitizing the construction sector to curb the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could be facilitated by the development of government policies and the establishment of supportive legislation.