Diffusion of Innovations: The Status of Building Information Modelling Uptake in Nigeria

Aim: This study evaluated Building Information Modelling (BIM) awareness and adoption in Nigeria through the line of enquiry known as the ‘diffusion of innovations’ and its possible uptake.

Study Design: The study is quantitative in nature and the primary data fetched through questionnaire survey within Nigerian construction industry.

Place and Duration of the Study: Conducted within North-west, North-central and Lagos, Nigeria for a period of 4 months.

Methodology: A quantitative approach was adopted to x-ray the Nigerian construction industry; a structured questionnaire was used across the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). The generated data were analysed through descriptive statistics (in percentages) and presented in charts and graphs.

Results: The result revealed that 59.5% are aware of BIM technology; 22.8% are aware and currently using BIM and the remaining 17.7% neither aware nor using BIM; consequently, the industry was evaluated just within the Late Majority in terms of awareness and just entered the Early Majority in terms of BIM technology adoption.

Conclusion: Nigeria is at least five years behind US, UK and South Africa. In addition to lagging behind by at least five years, it is also behind by about 10% and 50% for UK and US respectively. The study also discovers the most significant barriers to BIM adoption as lack of BIM experts and lack of collaboration by its team stakeholders. The industry is likely to take the UK pattern in adopting the BIM and Recommendations are made based on the findings of the research.