Follow Us on Google
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry players and academia to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon construction practices as part of efforts to build more sustainable and resilient cities.
The construction giant made the call at the Future Cities Summit 2026, organised by the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) in Lagos under the theme, “Building the Future: Scaling Sustainability for Greener Cities.”
The summit brought together stakeholders from across the built environment sector to explore practical solutions for advancing sustainable construction, improving urban resilience and promoting environmentally friendly cities.
Representing Julius Berger at the event were the company’s Regional Manager, Engr. Thomas Christl, who served as a panellist, and the Chief Risk Officer, Mrs. Shakira Mustapha.
Speaking during a plenary session titled “Materials, Methods, and Margins: Low Carbon Construction Constraints and Opportunities,” Christl identified the high initial cost of low-carbon construction as one of the major obstacles slowing its adoption. He, however, argued that sustainable buildings deliver greater long-term value through lower maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
“Sustainable construction should be viewed from a lifecycle perspective,” Christl said.
“While initial investments may be higher, the long-term economic and environmental benefits far outweigh the costs, delivering value for owners, occupants, and society as a whole.”
Christl also highlighted the use of recycled concrete as a practical way of reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry.
According to him, reusing concrete from demolished structures can significantly cut carbon emissions while reducing dependence on newly manufactured building materials.
Other News
He called for closer collaboration among universities, construction firms, manufacturers and regulators to develop standards and regulatory frameworks that would support the wider adoption of recycled concrete in Nigeria.
“Greater industry collaboration is essential to unlocking the full potential of sustainable construction. By working together, stakeholders can accelerate knowledge transfer, innovation, and the development of practical solutions that can be integrated into projects from the earliest design stages,” he said.
Christl further noted that the challenge facing sustainable construction in Nigeria is not a shortage of technical expertise but ensuring that research findings and emerging innovations are effectively shared across the construction value chain.
He stressed the need for architects, engineers, contractors, procurement professionals and project owners to remain informed about advances in green building materials and sustainable construction technologies.
The panel also featured the General Manager of Saint-Gobain Nigeria, Mr. Tope Ilusanmi; Sustainable Finance Consultant at Alitheia Capital, Miss Ruby Uche; and Sustainability and Green Building Consultant at Enflor, Ariyike Maama Adeshina, who moderated the session.
Participants agreed that stronger partnerships involving government agencies, financial institutions, academia and the private sector are critical to overcoming the financial, technical and regulatory challenges associated with low-carbon construction.
Julius Berger commended the Green Building Council Nigeria for creating a platform for industry stakeholders to exchange ideas on sustainable urban development.
The company reiterated its commitment to promoting innovation in the construction industry, building strategic partnerships and delivering infrastructure projects that support environmental sustainability while contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and urban development.
