TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND RISK-RESILIENT PROCUREMENT IN PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECTS: EVIDENCE FROM RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Public building projects in Nigeria continue to experience cost overruns, delays, and inefficiencies due to weak procurement systems and inadequate risk management. Although sustainable procurement is increasingly promoted as a strategy for improving project performance, its integration with risk management in Nigeria’s public construction sector remains insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by examining sustainable procurement practices and associated risk management strategies in public building projects in Rivers State. A quantitative approach was adopted using structured questionnaires administered to 250 stakeholders, with data analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings reveal high awareness of sustainable procurement (75.2%), but inconsistent implementation, with 67.4% of respondents indicating that such practices are only occasionally applied. Procurement decisions remain largely cost-driven, as environmental (98.3%) and economic (93.4%) considerations are prioritised over social sustainability (78.5%). Risk management is mainly driven by detailed risk assessment (60.2%) and contractor prequalification (26.5%), yet financial risks (63.5%) persist as the most critical challenge, alongside supplier-related and regulatory risks. While 74.0% of respondents perceive sustainable procurement as effective, 53.0% remain uncertain about its capacity to consistently reduce project risks. The study demonstrates a disconnect between awareness and practical application, limiting the risk-mitigation potential of sustainable procurement. It contributes empirical evidence from a developing-country context and highlights the need for integrated policy frameworks, life-cycle costing, and strengthened institutional capacity to achieve sustainable and risk-resilient public project delivery.