Challenges to Effective Stakeholder Management in the Nigerian Property Development Sector: Insights from the Boing Mega City Development, Rivers State

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges associated with stakeholder management in Nigerian property development, using the Boing Mega City Project in Rivers State as a case study. The study adopts a mixed-methods case study research design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide both breadth and depth of analysis. The study population comprised project developers and professional staff of Boing Estates, home buyers, realtors, and community leaders, with a total population of 1,980 stakeholders. Using purposive and stratified random sampling techniques, a sample size of 333 respondents was determined through the Taro Yamane formula at a 5% margin of error. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, while secondary data were sourced from government documents, project records, academic literature, and industry reports. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean scores and Relative Importance Index (RII), with SPSS version 25, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The findings reveal that residents and end-users, community leaders, and government agencies are the most critical stakeholders in the Boing Mega City Project, highlighting the centrality of social acceptance and institutional support in mega property developments. Key challenges identified include conflicting stakeholder interests, weak institutional frameworks, and political interference, alongside limited financial resources and socio-cultural resistance. These challenges were found to undermine coordination, transparency, and effective engagement, thereby affecting project implementation and sustainability. The study concludes that improving stakeholder management in Nigerian property development requires stronger institutional coordination, transparent and inclusive engagement processes, adequate resource allocation, and culturally sensitive strategies.