By Sabastine Abu
The lecture topic suggests a deep dive into how “mutating” or rapidly evolving construction systems are fundamentally altering the traditional production flow process in the construction industry.
The 12th Inaugural Lecture series of Bingham University, Karu presented by Professor Yusuf Gandu specifically viewed through the lens of the Quantity Surveyor, highlighted the significant disruptions that have occurred in the construction industry through generations.
Professor Yusuf Joe Gandu is the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria who has made significant contributions to academic and infrastructural construction management in Nigeria and the African continent. His notable publication record focused on the evolution of the quantity surveying profession within Nigeria’s construction industry.
His prior works, such as “Proactive Cost Management Model for Building Projects” (2021), emphasize a forward-looking approach to cost management.
He has also explored modern project challenges like the impact of dispute resolution mechanisms on project performance. This background makes him well-suited to address how emerging technologies and systems that affects the role of the Quantity Surveyor.
The core argument of Gandu’s 12th Inaugural lecture of the University is centered on the fact that construction is shifting from rigid, sequential methods to more dynamic, integrated and technology-driven processes. For the QS, this “mutation” means that traditional responsibilities like producing Bills of Quantities, cost planning and contract administration, must evolve.
Gandu declared that the QS of the future must integrate with Building Information Modeling (BIM), big data and new procurement methods to manage real-time data and optimize the entire project lifecycle.
Drawing from contemporary construction management research, the lecturer touched on several key themes:
The lecturer also acknowledged the digital imperative in modern construction that is driving this aspiration.
The Lecturer stated that the reliance on Nigerian or global examples in construction needs to be balanced to give local construction techniques more focus as it would be a major strength for contextual reliance.
On risk and change management, Professor Gandu noted that the impact of fluid systems on traditional risk management is a key vulnerability that makes modern QS often static but expressed joy that the “mutating” systems being emphasized require adaptive and predictive risk management models.
By linking construction “mutation” to “production flow,” Professor Gandu’s Lecture has no doubt, provided a systemic understanding of changes in the Constitution sector.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Karu said the 12th Inaugural Lecture series presented by Professor Gandu is in keeping with the cherished academic tradition where professors showcase the area of their academic expertise.
While thanking the Inaugural lecturer for taking up the challenge, he called on other professors in the queue to rise up and be counted.
Bingham University Registrar, Mr. Daburi Misal in vote of thanks paid tribute to the numerous invited guests from professional bodies,Ministries, Departments and Agencies for gracing the occasion which he described as testament of a growing relationship between the town and gown.