Projected to grow to $108 billion this year, DMG Events has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s rapidly expanding construction industry.
The company’s senior Vice President, Josine Heijmans, made this reaffirmation at the fifth edition of Big 5 Construct Nigeria, held in Lagos.
This year’s event hosted over 145 exhibitors from 20 countries, including national pavilions from Egypt, Türkiye, China and Austria.
Exhibitors also showcased a wide range of solutions like building materials, MEP systems, adhesives, tools and cutting-edge smart technologies, designed to transform the industry.
She highlighted the country’s urgent need for housing and infrastructure, noting that Nigeria requires over 20 million new homes alongside large-scale infrastructure projects.
“With a very big population, there is a need for new housing and infrastructure. Our dream is to keep on supporting the national goals of Nigeria by bringing solutions, experts into the country or in the country to provide the platform for them to share those thoughts with the industry,” she said.
Heijmans emphasised that Big 5 Construct Nigeria offers a platform covering the entire value chain of the industry from heavy machinery and concrete products to interior finishes, paints, HVAC-R systems and smart city technologies.
She further noted that the exhibition provided critical learning opportunities through the Big 5 Talks series, which featured packed sessions on project management, sustainable building materials and industry innovations.
According to her, a growing number of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were actively engaging in the sector and eager to adopt the latest technologies showcased.
Also speaking, Vice President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Bamidele Mafimidiwo, stressed the urgent need for professionals in the construction industry to adapt to global shifts.
Mafimidiwo noted that climate change had made sustainability a core concern and urged industry players to prioritise energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, green building materials and life-cycle cost appraisal. He emphasised that quantity surveyors, beyond their traditional role of cost estimation, must now play a central role in ensuring that projects minimise environmental, social and economic impacts.
On the role of technology, he pointed to the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) from 3D to 5D, describing it as a tool revolutionising cost estimation, sustainability integration and project collaboration.
“Technology is shaping every aspect of our profession, enabling us to deliver faster, more accurate, and more transparent services,” he added.
Besides, Director of Education and Certification at the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN), Emmanuel Falude, highlighted Nigeria’s rapid urbanisation and its growing climate challenges.
He cited key issues including projected population growth of 400 million by 2050, recurring flooding, heat waves, rising energy costs, unstable power supply, insufficient housing, weak maintenance culture, policy gaps, economic downturn and fire outbreaks as urgent threats facing the sector.
