Perception and Adoption of Local Building Materials in Contemporary Nigerian Construction
Abstract
The construction industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable materials that will reduce environmental impacts whilst meeting growing housing demands. Although Nigeria possesses abundant indigenous building materials with proven environmental, economic and climatic advantages, their utilization in contemporary construction remains untapped. This study investigated stakeholders' perceptions of local building materials and the factors influencing their adoption within the Nigerian construction industry. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and data were collected through a structured online questionnaire administered to construction stakeholders across Nigeria. A total of 106 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics comprising frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations. The findings indicate that respondents generally recognize the sustainability and economic benefits of indigenous building materials but remain concerned about durability, standardization, aesthetics and social perceptions. Institutional limitations, inadequate awareness, limited technical knowledge and weak policy support were also identified as significant barriers to wider adoption. The study concludes that increasing stakeholder confidence through material standardization, professional education, public awareness and supportive government policies are essential for improving the adoption of local building materials. These findings contribute to sustainable construction discourse and provide practical insights for policymakers, researchers and construction professionals seeking to promote environmentally responsible construction methodologies in Nigeria’s building industry. Keywords: Local Building Materials, Material Adoption, Indigenous Materials, Policy, Standards, Sustainable Construction, Building Materials, Nigeria Journal Reference Format: Obakin, O.A., Ajayi, A.S., Falade, A.O., Bamidele, E.S. & Adebowale, P. (2026): Assessment of Contract Administration Practices in Public Building Projects in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Social Informatics, Business, Politics, Law, Environmental Sciences & Technology Journal. Vol. 12, No. 3. Pp 15-38. www.isteams/socialinformaticsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/SIJ/V12N3P2x