ENHANCING PROJECT EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA THROUGH LEAN CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

The construction industry in Anambra State, Nigeria, faces persistent challenges including project delays, cost overruns, and compromised quality, which impede efficient project delivery and sustainable infrastructure development. These inefficiencies are often attributed to late material deliveries, poor decision-making, adverse weather conditions, inadequate technology adoption, and insufficient training in modern construction methods. Such challenges lead to wasteful resource utilization, inflated costs, and stifled economic growth. Lean construction practices offer a potential solution by emphasizing waste reduction, value maximization, and systematic project management. This study critically reviews Lean construction principles and methodologies to evaluate their potential in enhancing project delivery outcomes in Anambra State. The objectives include examining key Lean practices, assessing current awareness and adoption levels, identifying benefits and barriers to implementation, and comparing the effectiveness of Lean construction against traditional project delivery methods. Evidence from global and regional studies indicates that Lean methodologies can improve stakeholder collaboration, reduce project inefficiencies, and promote sustainability within construction projects. The review highlights practical recommendations for policymakers, project managers, and construction stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of Lean practices, ultimately contributing to improved efficiency, quality, and timeliness in project delivery.