Nigeria’s construction industry has received a major international boost as the sixth edition of Big 5 Construct Nigeria opened at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, bringing together more than 170 exhibitors from over 20 countries.
The three-day construction and infrastructure exhibition, which commenced on Tuesday, September 22, is scheduled to end on Thursday, September 24, with more than 10,000 industry professionals expected to attend.
The event was formally inaugurated by Engr. Agberagba Valerie Ifueko, Deputy President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), who used the opening ceremony to challenge stakeholders to shift the industry’s focus from simply constructing projects to delivering infrastructure that is bankable, functional and sustainable.
The exhibition is connecting contractors, developers, architects, engineers, project owners and other industry professionals with international manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers across the construction value chain.
The gathering comes as Nigeria’s construction sector continues to attract investment amid rising infrastructure and housing demands. Market Research and ResearchAndMarkets estimates that the country’s $54 billion construction sector will grow by about 3.1 per cent in 2026.
Speaking on the opening, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said the strong turnout reflected the opportunities emerging across Nigeria’s construction landscape.
“From business conversations on the exhibition floor to the discussions taking place through Big 5 Talks, there is a clear appetite for new connections, expertise and opportunities,” she said.
International Presence, Nigerian Market Focus
The exhibition has attracted prominent brands including Mikano International, Saint-Gobain, CDK Integrated, Bifem Paralu, Asian Paints, Abumet, Bosch and Dalal Steel Industries.
The companies are showcasing technologies and solutions covering power generation, building materials, façade systems, coatings, construction technology and other critical segments of the industry.
The participation of companies from across different markets has further positioned the event as a platform for Nigerian businesses and professionals to gain direct access to global products, expertise and emerging construction solutions.
Among the dignitaries at the opening ceremony were Ahmed Abdelfatah, Acting Executive Director, Export Council for Building Materials, Refractory & Metallurgy Industries; Alessandro Okigbo, Trade Analyst, CRM, Heavy Machinery, Agribusiness, Innovation and Technology & Construction Sector, ITA Lagos; Andrea Perugini, Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Abuja; Dr Michael Halim Tawadros, President of the Egyptian Community in Nigeria; and Erdal Fatih Tozoğlu, Turkish Commercial Attaché.
Others included Iacopo Foti, Acting Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria; Maurizio Ferri, Director, ITA Lagos; Mohamed Attya, Egypt Pavilion Manager, EECA; Mohamed Nedal, Administrative Attaché, ECS; and Osama Mohey Alden, Minister Plenipotentiary, ECS.
CDK Integrated Returns With New Solutions
One of the participating Nigerian brands, CDK Integrated, said its return to the exhibition was driven by the need to engage directly with professionals and understand emerging market opportunities.
Abimbola Onagbade, Head of Brand and Marketing Communications at CDK Integrated, said the event provides the company with an opportunity to showcase its new design collections, interact with industry players and strengthen relationships across Nigeria and West Africa.
The company is participating as the Platinum Sponsor of the exhibition.
Industry Experts Demand Better Project Delivery
Beyond the exhibition floor, the Big 5 Talks programme is providing a platform for experts to examine some of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigeria’s construction sector.
More than 30 CPD-certified sessions are being held during the three-day event, covering project management, architecture and design, construction technology, sustainable building materials and façade systems.
The programme opened with a session titled “Nigeria’s Construction Outlook 2026: Market Realities and Delivery Priorities”, delivered by Engr. Agberagba Valerie Ifueko.
She argued that Nigeria’s construction industry does not lack demand but faces challenges in converting demand into completed and properly maintained infrastructure.
With Nigeria’s population estimated at about 232 million and urbanisation continuing to accelerate, she called for a shift from a “building-led” approach to a “development-led” model.
She also stressed the need for quality control to run through every stage of a project, from initial briefing and design to construction and maintenance.
“Nigeria’s construction outlook for 2026 is not waiting for demand – the demand is already there,” she told delegates. “It is our collective capacity to deliver. We must move from a pipeline of ideas to a pipeline of bankable, executable and maintainable assets.”
Risk Management Takes Centre Stage
Bldr. Adetunji Adeniran, Registrar and Secretary to the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, also addressed delegates on risk management in complex construction environments.
He highlighted the need for stronger project governance, effective cost and information management and clearly defined responsibility for managing project risks.
Adeniran pointed to global and domestic pressures, including the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on steel and diesel costs as well as cement supply disruptions and price increases.
“Risks don’t disappear because you ignore them,” he cautioned. “If anything, they fester and take you unawares.”
Road Infrastructure Under Spotlight
Another major session focused on the challenges surrounding road construction in Nigeria.
The panel, titled “Constructing Road Projects in Nigeria: Managing Cost, Productivity and Delivery Risks”, examined cost escalation, procurement, material availability, productivity, quality assurance and project timelines.
The discussion was moderated by Omikunle Abiodun, Project Manager, Deloitte Nigeria, with contributions from Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, Chief Executive Officer, ABM Infrastructure Advisory; Oluwatimilehin Adegoke, Head of Construction, Alexander Arthur; QS Timilehin Idowu, QS Lead, Palton Morgan Holdings; and Wale Bamgbelu, Managing Partner, Orion Consulting Engineering Services.
The panellists examined practical approaches to reducing delivery risks and ensuring that major road projects are completed within realistic cost and time parameters.
Big 5 Construct Nigeria is supported by CDK Integrated as Platinum Sponsor, Bifem Paralu as Silver Sponsor, Bosch as Bronze Sponsor, Confam as Big 5 Talks Silver Sponsor and Dalal Steel Industries as Lanyard Sponsor.
Supporting associations include the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Green Building Council Nigeria, Building Information Modelling (BIM) Africa and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), while Project Management Institute (PMI) Nigeria serves as the Knowledge Partner.
The exhibition is free for trade and industry professionals aged 18 and above, with the 2026 edition running from September 22 to 24 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.
