Nigeria’s construction and waste sectors are bleeding money, and the professionals who track every naira say it is time for policy change. Cost engineers, quantity surveyors and environmental engineers are now pushing for urgent reforms they say will curb waste, improve efficiency and turn Nigeria’s resource losses into economic gains.The call came to a head in early 2026 at industry gatherings in Abuja and Lagos, where experts warned that poor planning, weak enforcement and outdated practices are costing the country billions annually.
The Waste Problem: Billions Lost to Poor Planning
Nigeria generates about 32 million tonnes of solid waste every year, yet only 20 per cent is properly managed. Environmental engineers say the gap threatens public health, economic growth and long-term sustainability.
Beyond waste, the construction sector is also under fire. UK-based construction cost expert Odunayo Rofiyat Olaniyan warned that the neglect of life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is leading to financial waste and environmental setbacks. She noted that many Nigerian projects still prioritize short-term capital costs over long-term operational efficiency.
The financial toll is huge. Experts estimate Nigeria is potentially losing over $100 million annually due to inefficiencies in its waste management system. Global authorities on climate governance say the problem is structural, rooted in governance failures where government acts as both operator and regulator.
What Cost Engineers Are Asking For
At the center of the push are Quantity Surveyors and cost engineers. Olaniyan argues they should be empowered to lead sustainable practices across the industry. She says functions like value engineering, risk management and cost estimation are crucial to ensuring projects are financially viable and environmentally responsible.
Her key demand: mandate the inclusion of LCCA in all public and private projects. LCCA looks at a building not just as a one-time investment, but as a long-term asset with costs from planning to demolition.
Other reforms on the table include:
Policy backing and enforcement: Weak policy enforcement and limited awareness were identified as major challenges.
Professional training: Targeted training for industry professionals to embed sustainable cost management.
Stakeholder awareness: Aligning Nigeria’s construction practices with global sustainable development goals.
“Sustainable construction is not a luxury, it’s an economic and environmental necessity”.
Environmental Engineers Join the Push
The Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE) echoed the call during its 15th inauguration in Abuja, themed “Engineering Sustainable Nigeria”. Outgoing National Chairman Engr. Nureni Adegboyega said the event marked a renewed dedication to engineering sustainable solutions for a healthier and more resilient Nigeria.
President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Babagana Mohammed, said sustainability must be treated as a national priority linked to economic growth, security and social stability. He noted that sustainability now covers infrastructure resilience, water security, waste systems, renewable energy and housing.
In Lagos, engineers also called for climate-resilient, technology-driven infrastructure and comprehensive sanitation reforms to tackle flooding and pollution. Director of Drainage Construction, Adedapo Ajadi, cited poor drainage networks, weak enforcement of environmental laws and manual waste handling as factors worsening degradation.
From Waste to Wealth: The $1 Billion Opportunity
Experts believe Nigeria can flip the script. Instead of treating waste as a liability, it can become a multibillion-dollar opportunity.
Igwebuike Ijeoma of the World Council for Renewable Energy says the country should shift from a linear waste model to a circular resource recovery ecosystem. Lagos is already testing this approach. LAWMA Managing Director Dr. Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin said the state is pushing to increase its recycling rate from 8–10 percent to 25–30 percent within five years.
The plan includes integrated Transfer Loading Stations and Materials Recovery Facilities with performance-based contracts. The goal is to support MSMEs in collection, sorting and logistics, creating green jobs.
Other proposals include biogas generation from organic waste to reduce landfill volumes and produce electricity, and mixed-waste processing facilities that convert waste into refuse-derived fuel, compost and recyclables.
Industrial and Manufacturing Angle
Manufacturers are also being urged to adopt sustainable waste plans. Strategies include zero waste, green manufacturing, using recycled materials, and upgrading to energy-efficient machinery.
The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said energy costs account for 30 to 40 percent of production expenses, and cleaner production programs have helped members maximize energy use and meet environmental compliance. The government is also setting up a National Cleaner Production Centre to sustain momentum.
Barriers That Must Be Fixed
Cost engineers and environmental experts identified several obstacles:
Inconsistent policies: Tariffs and tipping fees change with administrations, scaring investors.
Funding gaps: Long-term projects need capital investments, guarantees, and private finance via concessions.
Infrastructure deficits: Poor electricity and logistics remain major challenges.
Limited collaboration: Weak links between academia, government and industry slow adoption of modern technologies.
Experts are calling for stable waste management policies, tax incentives, and support for equipment importation. They also want government to empower agencies like LAWMA and expand structures to allow more private operators.
Why It Matters Now
Nigeria faces mounting pressure from urbanization, climate change, and a growing population. Engineers say the era of “grow first, clean up later” is over.The most competitive factory is the most efficient factory, and the most sustainable city is the one that manages its resources wisely.
With reforms, Nigeria could cut project overruns, reduce landfill use, create jobs, and attract global climate investments worth up to $1.5 trillion internationally.
Cost engineers insist the tools and expertise already exist locally. What is needed now is political will, policy backing, and a shift in mindset, from seeing waste as a cost to treating it as value.
