RETHINKING NIGERIA'S CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES: SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AS INNOVATION DRIVERS

Nigeria’s construction sector stands at a pivotal moment, challenged to meet the rapid urbanization infrastructure demands while reducing its ecological footprint. This study examines how sustainable materials and circular economy principles can serve as innovation drivers in rethinking construction practices. Conventional methods, which rely on energy-intensive and non-renewable resources, are identified as major contributors to carbon emissions, construction waste, and unsustainable land use. This study evaluates both local innovations and global best practices, focusing on the potential of eco-friendly alternatives such as CSEBs, bamboo, recycled concrete aggregates, and industrial by-products such as fly ash. It also assesses circular economy strategies, including design for disassembly, material reuse, and waste valorization for their capacity to reduce environmental impacts, stimulate local economies, and create green employment opportunities. Drawing on case studies from emerging sustainable construction projects in Nigeria, complemented by comparative insights from other developing contexts, the analysis reveals significant opportunities and persistent barriers. Findings indicate that while sustainable material adoption and circular practices are technically viable, their diffusion is constrained by policy gaps, weak institutional support, limited technological expertise, and market resistance. The paper concludes by proposing strategic measures to integrate circular principles into national building codes, incentivize green construction practices, and foster research into context-specific sustainable materials. By embedding innovation within a sustainability and circular economy framework, Nigeria can redefine its construction paradigm advancing growth-oriented infrastructure delivery that is also resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible.