Imperatives of digitalisation in construction sector—Adetayo Onososen

Adetayo Onososen, a pioneer in Nigeria’s construction sector, is spearheading the digital transformation to enhance infrastructure delivery across developing economies. With distinguished experience in Construction Management and Engineering, Onososen has established himself as a foremost authority, driving the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies in information management, facilities management, construction communication, and data exchange. His work is focused on advancing sustainable infrastructure, positioning him at the forefront of innovation in the construction industry. Digitalisation has emerged as a key enabler for construction firms to optimize infrastructure delivery in a sector often challenged by resource constraints, inefficient processes, material waste, schedule delays, and cost overruns. The urgency of this shift is underscored by reports like McKinsey’s, which highlight that while construction is already one of the largest global industries, its growth rate must double to meet soaring demand. The challenge is not the lack of demand, but how the industry will rise to meet it.

The construction sector faces a significant shortage of skilled workers and lagging labor productivity, both of which threaten to create severe bottlenecks in achieving critical national economic, social, and environmental goals. These shortfalls impede countries’ abilities to address the growing population’s needs—such as affordable housing—and hinder progress toward societal objectives like net-zero emissions. To scale up effectively, industry leaders—founders, executives, and investors—must dismantle barriers to growth, and digitalisation offers a powerful solution. Recent reports reveal that the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, valued at $10 trillion, is one of the largest in the world. Historically, however, it has been one of the slowest to embrace digital transformation. This is rapidly changing in developed economies. Strong demand for infrastructure, a lack of skilled labor, and heightened stakeholder pressure for data transparency and integration are accelerating the adoption of digital tools and technologies. As a result, the AEC tech ecosystem is witnessing an unprecedented surge in investment and a wave of innovative start-ups in developed countries. In this evolving landscape, boosting construction productivity is no longer optional—it is essential for developing economies like Nigeria. This is especially true for most developing countries, where infrastructure deficits present major obstacles to socio-economic growth. Here, digitalisation is not just a tool for improvement; it is a crucial driver of progress, unlocking the potential for sustainable infrastructure development that can transform societies and meet future demands.

“I am fully dedicated to leveraging digital technologies to revolutionize the construction industry and champion sustainable practices,” Onososen affirms, highlighting the pivotal role digitalisation plays in elevating infrastructure development. He underscores that embracing digital solutions is not merely a technological shift but a strategic imperative for improving efficiency, fostering collaboration, and driving long-term sustainability in construction projects. Through this transformation, Onososen envisions a future where digital innovation becomes the cornerstone of resilient, high-quality infrastructure across developing economies. Adetayo Onososen’s exceptional talent and expertise have been pivotal in advancing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones for reality capture, and 3D scanning solutions in Nigeria and South Africa. His work with leading construction firms, including Temadon Engineering Ltd and the Development Bank for Southern Africa (DBSA), has demonstrated the transformative power of digitalisation in optimizing construction processes.
Onososen’s strategic implementation of digital technologies has enabled successful execution of complex projects, offering firms the ability to visualize and enhance operations in a virtual environment. Recent studies by the McKinsey Global Institute revealed that digital transformation can lead to productivity gains of 14 to 15 percent and cost reductions of 4 to 6 percent within the construction sector. Onososen’s innovative use of BIM and drones has not only boosted construction workers’ productivity and reduced turnaround times but also ensured a single source of truth through a common data environment. This has improved data integrity, reliability, and availability throughout a building’s lifecycle.

His approach involves developing models to address challenges such as fragmentation, lack of successful use cases, inadequate digital resources, high software costs, and resistance to change. By tackling these issues, Onososen has helped organisations achieve a remarkable 25% increase in productivity, enabling faster and more efficient project completion. His digital solutions have significantly enhanced construction delivery pace and quality, contributing to the sector’s overall profitability in Africa. Onososen’s focus on addressing real business needs rather than merely chasing technological trends ensures that new systems and software are implemented effectively without compromising on human factors. His process-centred approach has not only driven industry-wide shifts towards more sustainable and efficient practices but has also inspired other professionals to adopt similar strategies. As developing countries like Nigeria seek to innovate and enhance their infrastructure delivery, Onososen’s solutions promise to integrate advanced technologies while placing people at the heart of transformation. With leaders like Onososen at the forefront, Nigeria is well-positioned to embrace cutting-edge solutions and reshape its construction industry for the better.