Journal of Sustainable Construction
Vol 5 No 2 (2026): Journal of Sustainable Construction

Overcoming Barriers to Integrating Circular Economy in Nigerian Infrastructure Design and Construction

Unegbu, Hyginus (Unknown)
Yawas, Danjuma Saleh (Unknown)
Dan-asabe, Bashar (Unknown)
Alabi, Abdulmumin Akoredeley (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles into Nigerian infrastructure projects, identifying key barriers and proposing effective countermeasures. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and semi-structured interviews with 100 stakeholders, including policymakers, construction professionals, and academic experts. The analysis revealed significant barriers across economic, technical, policy, and social dimensions. Economic challenges included high initial costs and limited financial resources. Technical barriers were characterized by a lack of expertise and insufficient infrastructure for sustainable materials. Policy and regulatory obstacles highlighted inadequate policies and poor enforcement, while social barriers pointed to resistance to change and low awareness of CE benefits. Proposed countermeasures included implementing government incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies, fostering public-private partnerships to leverage combined resources and expertise, and launching education and awareness campaigns to build capacity and support for CE practices. The findings have significant implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive national CE policy framework and collaborative efforts to promote sustainability. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of CE integration and explore innovative solutions to overcome identified barriers.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

josc

Publisher

Subject

Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture Transportation

Description

The Journal of Sustainable Construction (JoSC) is a double-blind peer-reviewed and open access journal that provides a venue for publishing original research articles focusing on promoting and advancing the research and applications of sustainable construction from both empirical and theoretical ...