By Abubakar Yunus Ojima-ojo
Experts in construction, manufacturing, environmental sustainability and interior design have warned developers and contractors against prioritising cheap building materials at the expense of quality, safety and durability.
The experts gave the warning on the sidelines of Big 5 Construct Nigeria in Lagos, amid the continued expansion of Nigeria’s construction sector.
Market research data cited by ResearchAndMarkets put Nigeria’s construction output at an estimated $54bn in 2025, with the market projected to grow by about 3.1 per cent in 2026.
The experts said rising construction costs could push developers and consumers towards cheaper alternatives, but warned that such decisions could result in higher expenses through frequent repairs, replacements and maintenance.
Technical Manager, CAP PLC, Gabriel Ghomren, said developers should consider the total lifecycle value of materials rather than their initial purchase prices.
He listed durability, colour retention, adhesion, resistance to weathering and abrasion, maintenance requirements, product composition, and potential health and environmental effects among factors that should guide material selection.
Ghomren said a product that appeared cheaper at the point of purchase could become more expensive over the lifespan of a building.
“A durable finish that requires fewer repainting cycles can also reduce the consumption of raw materials, energy, packaging and labour over the life of a building,” he said.
He also cautioned manufacturers and consumers against treating sustainability as merely an issue of appearance or accepting unverified “green” claims.
Ghomren urged manufacturers to invest in safer raw materials, conduct regular quality testing and provide transparent information on product composition and performance.
He further called on architects and consultants to specify materials that meet appropriate safety and performance standards.
The technical manager expressed particular concern over the presence of lead in paints, noting that the substance is toxic and poses serious health risks, especially to children.
Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, Dr Leslie Adogame, represented by Victor Fabunmi, also stressed the link between building safety and the composition of construction materials.
Adogame said lead in paint could not be detected simply by examining its colour or appearance.
He called for stronger monitoring, enforcement, independent testing and greater transparency in the paint industry.
“Ultimately, material choices should give equal consideration to safety, material composition, durability, environmental impact and long-term value,” he said.
Managing Partner, James Cubitt Interiors, Jacqueline Aki, said paint and finish selections should be determined by the conditions in which they would be used rather than aesthetics alone.
Aki urged project teams to consider surface preparation, adhesion, heat and humidity resistance, ultraviolet exposure, abrasion, cleaning requirements and expected service life.
She also advised developers and contractors to examine product formulation, hazardous substances, emissions, environmental impact, packaging and waste implications.
“Material selection should be based on lifecycle value rather than the lowest initial price,” Aki said.
The experts also called for greater involvement of qualified architects, designers, consultants and contractors in material procurement.
They said this would help prevent cost-cutting measures from compromising essential safety and performance requirements.
They further advocated stronger local manufacturing capacity to reduce the construction sector’s exposure to foreign exchange volatility, import costs and supply-chain disruptions.
However, they stressed that increased local production must be supported by effective standards, certification, testing and quality-control mechanisms.
According to them, stronger domestic manufacturing could improve supply-chain resilience while encouraging the production of building materials suited to Nigeria’s environmental and construction conditions.
The experts also urged manufacturers, regulators, professional bodies, developers and consumers to work together to establish clearer benchmarks for product quality, safety and performance.
They said material selection should remain a critical consideration beyond the completion of a building, given its impact on durability, maintenance costs, safety and long-term value.
