Exploring stakeholder communication strategies to promote circular economy in the Nigerian construction industry: North-Central focus

Purpose This study aims to explore stakeholder communication strategies for facilitating the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices in the Nigerian construction industry. It addresses a critical gap in the existing literature by focusing on communication dynamics within a developing economy, where sociocultural and infrastructural challenges significantly influence the adoption of CE. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach was employed, using a purposive sampling technique to select 25 stakeholders across 3 major groups: industry professionals, government officials and academics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed thematically to identify key communication strategies for fostering stakeholder collaboration and overcoming communication barriers in promoting CE in the Nigerian construction industry. Findings Five core themes emerged from the analysis: participatory approaches, formalised communication channels, integration of digital tools, capacity building and awareness creation and the role of policy and governance. The findings highlight that context-specific communication strategies are critical for aligning stakeholder interests, promoting trust and fostering CE adoption in resource-constrained environments. Research limitations/implications The study was geographically limited to North Central Nigeria, and the findings may not be generalisable to other regions with differing socioeconomic conditions. Future research could adopt mixed-methods approaches and expand the geographic scope to provide a more comprehensive understanding of stakeholder communication in CE adoption. Originality/value This study contributes to the knowledge of CE adoption by providing context-specific insights into stakeholder communication in a developing economy. It offers a novel framework for addressing communication barriers and fostering collaboration in resource-constrained environments.