Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has called for stronger collaboration among government, academia, regulators and private sector stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon construction practices, saying sustainable building is essential to developing greener, more 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 policymakers, industry leaders, academics and environmental experts to explore practical strategies for advancing sustainable construction, strengthening urban resilience and supporting Nigeria’s transition to environmentally friendly cities.
Representing Julius Berger during the second and final day of the event, the company’s Regional Manager, Engr. Thomas Christl, participated in a high-level panel session titled “Materials, Methods, and Margins: Low Carbon Construction Constraints and Opportunities.” The company’s Chief Risk Officer, Mrs. Shakira Mustapha, also attended the summit.
The panel, which featured representatives of Saint-Gobain Nigeria, Alitheia Capital and Enflor, examined the financial, technical and regulatory challenges hindering the widespread adoption of sustainable building practices.
Speaking during the session, Christl identified the high upfront cost of low-carbon construction as one of the industry’s biggest obstacles but maintained that the long-term economic and environmental benefits far outweigh the initial investment.
He explained that while sustainable buildings may require higher capital expenditure at the construction stage, they deliver significant savings over their lifecycle through lower maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
Christl also advocated the wider adoption of recycled concrete, describing it as a practical solution for reducing carbon emissions and promoting circular economy principles within the construction industry.
According to him, reusing concrete from demolished structures would reduce dependence on newly manufactured materials, minimise construction waste and significantly lower the sector’s carbon footprint.
The Julius Berger executive called for the development of clear regulatory standards and stronger collaboration among universities, construction firms, manufacturers and government agencies to facilitate the safe and large-scale use of recycled concrete in Nigeria.
He stressed that the industry’s challenge is no longer the availability of technical knowledge but ensuring that research outcomes and innovative technologies are effectively transferred across the construction value chain.
Christl noted that architects, engineers, contractors, procurement professionals and project owners must remain abreast of emerging green building materials and sustainable construction technologies to accelerate industry-wide adoption.
Participants at the summit agreed that deeper partnerships involving government institutions, academia, financial organisations and private sector operators are crucial to overcoming the financial, technical and policy barriers slowing Nigeria’s transition to low-carbon construction.
Julius Berger also commended the Green Building Council Nigeria for providing a platform that promotes dialogue, innovation and knowledge sharing on sustainable urban development, describing such engagements as critical to building environmentally responsible, climate-resilient and future-ready cities.
