Assessment of the Barriers of Sustainable Procurement Adoption in Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

Sustainable Procurement (SP) is a strategic tool for achieving sustainable development, balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives in project delivery. Sustainable Procurement (SP) integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations into public procurement to achieve long-term value for money and sustainable development outcomes. Despite its global adoption and documented benefits, SP remains nascent in the Nigerian construction industry. This study aims to assess and rank the critical barriers impeding the adoption of SP in Nigeria. A quantitative research approach was employed. Through a comprehensive literature review, 16 barriers to SP adoption were identified. A structured questionnaire was distributed to a purposively selected sample of 99 construction professionals (Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Structural and Services Engineers) in Nigeria. Seventy-nine valid responses were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean scores, standard deviation). The analysis revealed that all 16 barriers are significant impediments to SP adoption. The most critical barriers are: (1) lack of expertise in applying green building materials, (2) lack of awareness of SP concepts, and (3) lack of understanding of the SP concept. This study provides the first empirically published ranking of SP adoption barriers within the Nigerian construction context. It offers crucial insights for policymakers, industry regulators, and professionals by pinpointing the most severe obstacles. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions, policy reforms, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to foster a conducive environment for SP adoption.