By Blessing Ibegbu
Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, has urged professionals and students to adapt to evolving construction systems and environmental management demands in modern project delivery.
Ayuba made the call on Thursday in Karu during the 12th inaugural lecture delivered by Prof. Yusuf Gandu of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, highlighting the need for innovation-driven approaches.
The lecture, titled “Mutating Construction System and Its Implication on the Production Flow Process: A Quantity Surveying Perspective,” examined the dynamic nature of the construction industry and changing project delivery processes.
According to Ayuba, the construction industry is constantly evolving due to technological, environmental, and socio-economic changes, as well as shifting client demands influencing project workflows, costs, and resource management.
“By understanding how these mutations influence the production flow process, we can improve efficiency, manage costs and effectively deliver projects,” he said during the lecture.
He said such insights were essential for preparing students and professionals to navigate complexities in modern construction and environmental management practices across diverse and rapidly changing development environments.
Ayuba commended Gandu for sharing his expertise and expressed satisfaction that the Faculty of Environmental Sciences had joined other faculties contributing to the university’s academic culture through inaugural lectures.
He also lauded Gandu’s leadership as Chairman of the Clean Campus Initiative, noting his contributions to promoting a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable campus environment within the university community.
The vice-chancellor congratulated Gandu as the institution’s 12th inaugural lecturer and urged other faculties yet to participate in the tradition to present their professors for similar academic engagements.
He disclosed that the first 10 inaugural lectures were being compiled into a compendium to benefit postgraduate students and scholars, describing it as a valuable academic resource for research.
In his lecture, Gandu described construction as a key economic sector employing large labour forces, emphasising that it contributed significantly to national economies, particularly through capital-intensive infrastructure and development projects.
He said managing key performance indicators such as cost, time, and quality remained challenging due to the sector’s complexity, resistance to change, and slow adoption of scientific and technological innovations.
“The unique characteristics of construction projects, including high risks and uncertainty, necessitate transformation to achieve project objectives effectively,” Gandu said.
He explained that the “Devil’s Triangle” of cost, time, and quality continued to challenge project management, requiring proactive and forward-looking strategies to manage complex construction systems successfully.
Gandu said leadership competence played a crucial role in project outcomes, noting that effective communication, role clarity, and consistent processes significantly improved performance in construction project delivery.
He added that improving communication enhanced cost, time, and quality outcomes, while competent leadership increased efficiency and overall project success across various construction environments.
The professor called for supportive government policies to drive innovation adoption, emphasising the need for training and capacity development among stakeholders to effectively implement emerging technologies in the sector.(NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
