The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, has raised concerns over the persistent tensions and professional rivalries within Nigeria’s construction and infrastructure sector, warning that such divisions are undermining the country’s project delivery capacity.
Speaking during a recent luncheon hosted by the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) in Abuja, the Minister, represented by QS Temitope, Head of Public Building and Housing Development at the ministry, emphasized that disjointed practices among professionals in the built environment have long hindered progress.
Dangiwa pointed out that internal competition, fragmented institutional frameworks, and professional turf wars have often resulted in inefficiencies, such as project delays, cost escalation, and even opportunities for mismanagement. These issues, he said, not only compromise the quality of infrastructure delivered but also diminish public confidence in the sector’s capabilities.
He stressed the importance of teamwork, urging all stakeholders—including architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, and planners—to break down silos and foster stronger interdisciplinary cooperation.
“The housing and construction sectors play a vital role in national development,” the Minister stated. “We need a unified front to ensure that the infrastructure we build is timely, cost-effective, and of the highest standard. Working in isolation only hinders that goal.”
He also advocated for more cross-sector research initiatives and adherence to shared best practices to boost efficiency and accountability in project delivery across the country.
The message resonated with attendees, many of whom echoed the need for unity and reform in the industry’s operational culture.
