CBPM Conference 2026 · Vol. 2026, Issue 1

Assessment of BIM Awareness and Perceived Benefits for High-Rise Project Delivery in Lagos and Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Iheama Ndidi Blessing, Umeokana Chijioke Steven Chikezirim Okoroafor

Keywords: Awareness; Building Information Modelling (BIM); Construction Industry; High-Rise Buildings; Perceived Benefits; Project Delivery; Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the level of Building Information Modelling (BIM) awareness and quantifies the perceived benefits of its adoption for effective high?rise building project delivery in Lagos and Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A quantitative cross?sectional survey was conducted with a calculated sample size of 392 registered construction professionals (architects, engineers, builders, and quantity surveyors) in the two cities. A total of 298 valid questionnaires were retrieved and analysed using descriptive statistics, mean scores (1–5 scale), and the Relative Importance Index (RII). Eight refined variables measured BIM awareness: Technical Proficiency, Software Accessibility, Regulatory Framework, Educational Integration, Collaborative Readiness, Cost?Time Perception, Management Support, and Design Integration. Nine refined variables captured perceived benefits: Cost Efficiency, Schedule Optimization, Quality Enhancement, Risk Reduction, Stakeholder Communication, Sustainability Performance, Data Integrity, Lifecycle Management, and Competitive Advantage. Awareness analysis revealed that Collaborative Readiness ranked highest (Mean=3.18, RII=0.636), while Design Integration ranked lowest (Mean=1.82, RII=0.364). Technical Proficiency (Mean=2.43, RII=0.486) and Software Accessibility (Mean=2.01, RII=0.402) showed moderate but insufficient levels. Benefit analysis showed Cost Efficiency (Mean=4.77, RII=0.954) and Schedule Optimization (Mean=4.70, RII=0.940) as the most recognised benefits, whereas Competitive Advantage ranked lowest (Mean=4.46, RII=0.892). A critical perception gap of approximately 40– 50% was identified across all variables – professionals perceive BIM as highly beneficial but demonstrate low practical awareness and implementation. Nigerian construction professionals are aware of BIM, but its potential benefits remain underutilised due to systemic barriers: inadequate software access, weak regulatory frameworks, and insufficient technical training. Strategic interventions include mandatory BIM policies for high?rise projects exceeding ten stories, integration of BIM into university curricula, government?subsidised software licences, and the establishment of regional BIM competence centres in Lagos and Port Harcourt.