NITDA DG Urges construction industry to move from Blueprints to Bytes to Embrace BIM, Ai, And Blockchain to Build a New Nigeria
In a bold call for change, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has urged Nigeria’s construction industry to move from blueprints to bytes by embracing digital technologies that can transform project delivery, boost productivity, and position the sector at the forefront of innovation.
Delivering a keynote presentation titled “Digital Transformation in the Nigerian Construction Industry” at a two-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), FCT Chapter, the DG outlined the tools of this impending revolution. The event, themed “Policy Shifts and Industry Trends,” provided the perfect launchpad for this digital mandate.
Represented by Dr. Yahaya Onimisi, the Agency’s Acting Director of Project Management, Inuwa underscored how emerging technologies are not just optional upgrades but necessary foundations for the future.
He highlighted specifically how Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Data Analytics, and Cloud Collaboration tools can significantly reshape the sector.
According to him, these technologies offer a sure-fire route to improve service delivery, enhance accuracy, boost productivity, and create smarter project management systems across the entire construction value chain.
“As the urgent need for modernisation is becoming more apparent, the future of construction lies in digital transformation. By embracing innovation, Nigeria’s Quantity Surveyors can drive smarter, faster, and more transparent infrastructure development,” Inuwa stated.
Highlighting the sector’s challenges, including project delays, cost overruns, inefficiencies, and resistance to change, he described digital transformation as both a disruption and an opportunity.
Inuwa further explained that embracing innovation will reposition Nigerian Quantity Surveyors (QS) from routine cost measurement to strategic, data-driven roles.
“Digital transformation is not merely about adopting new technology but about fundamentally changing business processes, culture, and skills to leverage the opportunities presented by the digital age,” he added.
While calling for stronger partnerships between NITDA and NIQS to accelerate digital adoption, the NITDA boss outlined areas for collaboration, such as capacity building, policy alignment, innovation labs, and the development of a sector-specific digital transformation roadmap aligned with the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0.
Referencing the agency’s collaboration with professional bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Inuwa asserted that with strategic investments, government support, and continuous professional development, Nigeria’s construction industry can unlock new opportunities, improve transparency, and achieve smarter project management outcomes.
“By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, investing strategically in technology, and fostering strong collaborations with stakeholders, Nigerian Quantity Surveyors can not only survive the technological disruption but also thrive in the evolving industry landscape,” he concluded.