Nigerian Society of Engineers' Agberagba Addresses Project Failures

Valerie Agberagba, the Deputy President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, addressed the challenges facing Nigeria's construction sector during the Big 5 Construct Nigeria event in Lagos. She attributed project failures to poor procurement processes and inadequate maintenance, stating that while Nigeria has numerous projects, it lacks completed and sustained ones.

Agberagba highlighted that the population, estimated between 235 million and 240 million, and urbanization rates, which she noted as 54% in 2023, contribute to rising demands for housing, power, transport, and water infrastructure. She criticized the effectiveness of public capital spending, questioning the outcomes of the N23.9 trillion allocated for capital expenditure in the 2025 budget.

Agberagba pointed out that many projects fail due to poor planning and emphasized the importance of thorough groundwork before project announcements. She also mentioned that some projects are procured after budget years have closed, complicating execution.