Implementing Lean Project Management Techniques in Nigerian Manufacturing Industries

The increasing competitiveness of the global manufacturing industry has necessitated the adoption of efficient management practices to enhance productivity, minimize waste, and optimize the utilization of organizational resources. This study examined the implementation of Lean Project Management techniques in Nigerian manufacturing industries, with particular focus on Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL) and Notore Chemical Industries Plc. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised 1,099 staff of the two selected manufacturing companies in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Using the Cochran sample size formula, a sample size of 285 respondents was determined, while simple random sampling was employed in selecting the respondents. Data were collected primarily through a structured questionnaire covering the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and the implementation of selected Lean Project Management techniques. The reliability of the research instrument was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the hypotheses were tested using the One-Sample t-test. The findings revealed that Value Stream Mapping (VSM) was not significantly implemented in the selected Nigerian manufacturing industries, whereas Just-in-Time (JIT) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) were significantly implemented. The study concluded that although some Lean Project Management techniques have been adopted in Nigerian manufacturing industries, the implementation of VSM remains inadequate. The study therefore recommended that Nigerian manufacturing industries should invest in comprehensive training and capacity-building programmes to enhance employees’ awareness, knowledge, and practical understanding of Lean Project Management techniques, particularly Value Stream Mapping, thereby improving operational efficiency and waste reduction