Professor Ganiyu Amuda-Yusuf of the University of Ilorin, has bemoaned the construction industry in Nigeria, stressing that strong and well-defined regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure transparency, accountability and ethical practices.

Prof. Amuda-Yusuf, while delivering the 281st inaugural lecturer of the UNILORIN on Thursday with the title: “Value Proposition for Enhancing Cost Management of Subservient and Neglected Elements in Building.”

Prof Amuda-Yusuf noted that given the sector’s pivotal role in economic growth and infrastructure development, the creation of a Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) is essential.

Stressing that, the board will serve as a cornerstone for industry regulation, overseeing standards, quality control, fair pricing, environmental sustainability, safety compliance, and equitable procurement processes.

“By institutionalising the CIDB, policy makers can provide much-needed stability and professionalism in the sector.

“To maximise its effectiveness, the Board must operate independently, free from excessive political interference, ensuring impartial enforcement and long-term industry development.”

Prof. Amuda-Yusuf called for an approach that will enable more accurate cost estimates, provide a basis for variation valuation and facilitate improved cost control and monitoring in building industry.

He called on the federal and State governments with the private sectors to invest in research and development with a focus on implementation, saying that innovation within the construction industry relies on sustained research and development efforts.

He opined that research must be translated into real-world application to drive progress, saying that policy makers and industry leaders should provide dedicated, easily accessible grants and incentives for research initiatives to enhance construction technologies and efficient progress.

“Funding should be substantial enough to support comprehensive research, from experimentation to pilot testing.

“It is essential to establish partnerships between academic, construction firms, and government agencies to ensure that research findings are tested, refined and deployed in actual projects.

“Research and Development should not merely terminate in publication but should lead to smarter, greener and more efficient construction practices that benefit both the economy and the society,” he said.