Harnessing Cloud-Based Building Information Modelling for Innovation and Growth in Nigeria’s Construction Industry: An Expert Perspective

The construction industry is vital to Nigeria’s economic landscape, significantly contributing to the nation’s GDP and employment rates. As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s construction sector is crucial in national and regional development.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics indicates that construction accounts for approximately nine percent of Nigeria’s GDP, underscoring its importance as a catalyst for economic advancement. This sector is integral to infrastructure development, facilitating transportation, housing, energy, and public works projects. Therefore, technological advancements in construction can stimulate growth in Nigeria and across the continent.

In a rapidly changing construction environment, companies must consider: What is your Building Information Modelling (BIM) business model? This inquiry is essential for organisations aiming to innovate and deliver value in an increasingly digital landscape. Traditional business models, characterised by inefficiency and fragmentation, must be revised for today’s demands. The transition to Cloud-based Building Information Modelling (CBIM) presents an opportunity to overcome these challenges and unlock substantial value.

CBIM offers transformative tools and processes that enhance collaboration, streamline project management, and improve overall efficiency through cloud technology. This approach facilitates real-time collaboration among stakeholders, yielding strategic advantages such as cost savings, improved infrastructure quality, and better environmental outcomes.

For Nigeria, where construction projects often face delays, budget overruns, and quality issues, CBIM provides a pathway to address these persistent challenges. By adopting cloud-based technologies, the industry can foster a more agile, transparent, and collaborative project delivery system, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian construction firms both regionally and globally.

To fully leverage the benefits of CBIM, Nigerian construction companies must embrace new business models that align with contemporary digital technologies. Outdated, fragmented approaches are no longer viable; businesses should reevaluate their value propositions, customer segments, and partnership networks.

This process can be facilitated by frameworks like the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and the St. Gallen Business Model Navigator. These models help identify the needs of key customer segments, including government entities, private developers, and facility management stakeholders while creating distinct value propositions in a competitive market. Strategic collaborations with technology providers, academic institutions, and financial organisations are essential for effectively implementing and scaling CBIM initiatives.

Moreover, addressing several critical challenges is vital for successfully adopting CBIM in Nigeria. A significant hurdle is the need for more skilled professionals to manage and implement CBIM technologies. Therefore, investing in capacity building and training is imperative. Partnerships with academic institutions, software vendors, and industry stakeholders will be instrumental in developing the necessary expertise. The construction sector must also overcome reluctance to change and fully embrace digital transformation.

As seen globally, innovation in construction often stems from individual champions rather than organisational frameworks. Promoting a culture of innovation that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and digital independence will be beneficial.

From a governance perspective, the Nigerian government has a crucial role in shaping the digital future of the construction industry. By mandating the use of BIM in public projects, similar to the UK’s Government Soft Landings initiative, Nigerian authorities can set benchmarks for innovation and efficiency. Such policies would enhance the quality and accountability of public infrastructure and encourage the private sector to adopt CBIM technologies.

Aligning digital advancements in construction with Nigeria’s broader national objectives—such as increasing transparency, reducing corruption, and promoting sustainable development—will further bolster the sector. The success of large-scale infrastructure initiatives is closely linked to political stability and effective governance, making integrating CBIM technologies a strategic priority for Nigeria’s leadership.

The widespread implementation of CBIM can significantly enhance Nigeria’s economic performance. By making the construction industry more efficient and productive, positive ripple effects will extend to other sectors. Enhanced infrastructure will improve connectivity, reduce business operational costs, and elevate living standards nationwide. As Nigeria leads digital innovation within construction, it can serve as a model for other African nations, contributing to the continent’s overall economic development.

On a broader scale, technologies like CBIM will be crucial in achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals, prioritising infrastructure development and industrialisation. By adopting CBIM, African nations can ensure that infrastructure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards, fostering economic growth and sustainable development. As countries invest in infrastructure to meet urbanisation demands, CBIM offers a pathway to promote resource efficiency and reduce waste while enabling smarter planning.

In conclusion, adopting cloud-based BIM business models represents a transformative opportunity for the Nigerian construction industry to innovate, grow, and make meaningful contributions to the national economy. By embracing CBIM, firms can tackle long-standing inefficiencies, improve competitiveness, and enhance stakeholder value. Furthermore, political support for such innovations could catalyse broader economic benefits and solidify Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

The time has come for the Nigerian construction industry to fully embrace digital transformation. With the appropriate frameworks, strategic partnerships, and supportive government policies, cloud-based BIM technologies can unlock new avenues for growth, paving the way for a brighter future for Nigeria and the broader African continent.

By Tawakalitu Odubiyi (PhD)