Operational Risk and Safety Management in the Nigerian Residential Real Estate Sector Using Artificial Intelligence

Operational failures and weak safety management continue to undermine residential real estate development in Nigeria, while the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address them remains little examined. This study assessed operational risks and safety management practices, their association with safety compliance and project performance, and the potential of AI in residential real estate development in Lagos and Ibadan. A cross-sectional quantitative survey, guided by Risk Management Theory, Safety Culture Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, used a structured five-point Likert questionnaire; 141 of 180 questionnaires distributed were valid (78.3%). Data were analyzed with means, standard deviations, rankings and Pearson correlation. All sixteen operational risks scored 4.04-4.46, led by inadequate worker skills and training (4.46) and poor supervision (4.45); human-related and technical/structural risks ranked first and second. PPE training (4.01) and provision (3.91) were the highest-rated safety practices, whereas risk registers and non-punitive near-miss reporting (2.98) were lowest. Management commitment (4.50) and safety culture (4.49) were rated the strongest influences on compliance. Operational risk was positively and significantly correlated with safety compliance (r = 0.879) and project performance (r = 0.840), both p < 0.001. Respondents rated AI's potential highly (means 4.09-4.48), with predictive risk assessment ranked highest in impact, but endorsed inadequate digital infrastructure (4.48) as the main barrier. Visible protection appears to outpace preventive safety management, and AI is a conditional rather than demonstrated solution. Associations do not establish causation.