NIOB URGES DIGITAL ADOPTION, STRONGER CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION

The Nigerian Institute of Building, Lagos State Chapter, has called on construction industry stakeholders to adopt digital technologies and strengthen professional supervision to improve building safety and reduce construction failures.

The Chairman of the chapter, Rasheed Owolabi, made the call at a briefing in Lagos ahead of the 2026 Lagos Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting.

Owolabi said technologies such as Building Information Modelling, drones, digital documentation and remote monitoring could improve procurement, project monitoring, quality management and overall construction delivery.

He, however, stressed that technology alone could not guarantee successful projects, noting that digital tools must be supported by professional competence, effective supervision, proper quality management, regulatory compliance and accountability.

He said the upcoming conference would examine how digital systems could improve transparency in procurement, provide better visibility into construction progress and strengthen cost and project management.

Owolabi also urged developers, property owners and members of the public to engage qualified and registered professionals, particularly registered builders, in construction management.

He said NIOB Lagos would continue working with government agencies, regulators, professional bodies, developers, technology providers and academic institutions to improve construction standards.

The two-day conference is scheduled for October 7 and 8, 2026, in Lagos, with discussions expected to focus on smart building processes, digital construction and sustainable project delivery.