Unlocking Efficiency with BIM in Nigerian Construction: A Study of Benefits and Challenges
Inefficiencies characterise the Nigerian construction sector, with more than 60% of projects being delayed and cost overruns of around 20%-30%. Some of the causes include lack of effective collaboration among stakeholders, utilisation of manual 2-dimensional drawings, and poor digitisation. Building Information Modelling can help address these challenges by bringing together all multidisciplinary information of projects into one centralised digital model to foster collaboration, facilitate clash detection, and predict resources. This research paper aimed to examine the benefits and barriers to BIM implementation in the Nigerian construction industry. This was accomplished using a mixed methodology, which included the administration of surveys to 102 construction professionals and the creation of Revit 2021 models for a commercial complex. The survey data were analysed through nonparametric analysis (Spearman\'s Rho) and indicated that the two most important barriers to BIM are lack of technical skills (x̄ = 4.08) and software costs (x̄ = 4.06), while the three most prominent benefits are facility management support (x̄ = 3.92), sustainability (x̄ = 3.89), and reduction of timelines (x̄ = 3.87). Strong relationships existed between collaborative designs and clash detections (rho = 0.704) and BIM usage and organisational adoption (rho = 0.711). Revit model revealed that there were 25 design conflicts in a fictitious commercial structure. This process was estimated to take about 15% less time and cost 10% less money than traditional 2D modelling. The results of this investigation indicate that there is a need to introduce BIM training into the curriculum, provide subsidies from the government for the software, implement BIM throughout the country, and conduct awareness programs.