The Current State of Green Building Development in Nigerian Construction Industry: Policy and Implications

Abstract

The negative impact of the construction activities on the economy and the environment has necessitated the need for a green policy formulation and framework in developing country like Nigeria. To ensure the development of green policy, it is necessary to evaluate the existing green building policy, barriers, and benefits of green practice, and the drivers of green building policy implementation. The chapter identifies Green Building Council of Nigeria (GBCN), National Building Efficiency Code, Nigeria Building Code (NBC), and National Adaptation and Plan (NASPA) as the existing green building policy in Nigeria. The findings of the chapter indicated that the existing green policy is not fully implemented due to the lack of government and leadership political will, policy compliance and enforcement, and lack of public awareness of green practice benefits among others. A green policy formation framework that can be adapted in Nigeria was also developed. It was concluded that for the policy framework to be effective, government, politician, and construction stakeholders should be involved in the formation of the green building public policy. Particularly, the government should champion the campaign for its enforcement within the Nigerian construction industry and the citizenry. If an enforceable green building standard is in place, the country-built environment will be set up for sustainable building.