The imperative of social sustainability and procurement in the Nigerian construction industry

Abstract

The social sustainability transition in the construction sector seeks to improve safety and health of workers, gainful employment and total inclusiveness. However, it is novel in the Nigerian construction industry and a less debated domain within this framework is how employment requirements provide opportunities for the socially disadvantaged such as the poorly educated, youths, immigrants and disabled individuals to be employed in the construction industry. In Nigeria alone, there are over 27 million disabled human species, most of who are living in extreme poverty with poor quality of life. Furthermore, there are evidence of development projects designed and built in developing countries that have failed socially and many mass housing scheme in Nigeria suffices as examples. Drawing on a systematic review of relevant literature, this research qualitatively examines social sustainability practices in the Nigerian construction industry, and highlight strategies for diffusing the approach at each phase of the project life cycle. The outcome of the result will initiate a novel research domain and promote sound academic debate towards improving total inclusiveness in Nigerian and Africa’s built environment. The potential impact of this research is that it will contribute to the knowledge base of the social sustainability concept and provide an alternative solution to the increasing shortage of skilled labour force in the construction industry. Its conclusion surmises that social procurement is a strategic tool for creating employment for the disadvantaged in the construction sector.