Buildings are much more than mere houses, they are more than aesthetic beauties, they are more than just concrete and steel, they are expressions of our growth, ambition, and sometimes, our oversight. from the lagoon cities of Lagos to the hilly towns of Minna, from the desert town of Maiduguri to the quieter corners of Enugu, buildings contribute immensely in shaping the rhythm of life. As our urban areas expand faster than infrastructure can keep up with, a quiet but pressing problem is growing: our buildings are using too much energy, often inefficiently, in a country where power supply is already unreliable.
Globally, buildings are responsible for about 36% of all energy use and nearly 39% of greenhouse gas emissions—more than industries or transportation. While Nigeria may be underrepresented in global data, local experts are raising the alarm. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, one of the country’s largest construction firms, reports that nearly 29% of residential energy use in Nigeria goes into cooling and ventilation. With temperatures rising and cities growing denser, this number is only expected to climb.
The design of buildings is now a matter of national urgency—not just a question of style or modern aesthetics. How a building is constructed can either add pressure to the national grid or help lighten the load. Simple architectural choices like proper building orientation, cross ventilation, the use of shading elements, and reflective materials can reduce the need for constant cooling. A 2021 report supported by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) showed that well-placed insulation and shade could cut cooling demand by nearly 44%. In Lagos, research on green walls—walls covered with plants—has shown that they can reduce indoor temperatures by over two degrees Celsius. That difference can mean lower energy bills and healthier indoor conditions.
There are already working examples in Nigeria. Heritage Place in Lagos, which earned the prestigious LEED certification, proves that sustainable architecture isn’t out of reach. With smart systems like daylight harvesting and energy-efficient windows, it consumes up to 40% less energy than similar buildings. It’s a signal to the real estate and construction industry: sustainability is possible, and profitable.
In 2017, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing partnered with GIZ (German Development Agency) to introduce the Building Energy Efficiency Code (BEEC). Although still voluntary, the code aims to cut building energy use by up to 40%. At its launch, then-Minister Babatunde Fashola emphasized that it wasn’t just about saving power. “This Code is not just about energy—it is about job creation, affordability, and improving quality of life,” he noted. However, uptake has been slow due to high initial costs, lack of awareness, and limited enforcement.
Another problem lies in how buildings are managed after they’re constructed. Proper commissioning, ensuring all systems are installed and maintained correctly is a rarity in Nigeria. In countries like the United States of America and some other nations of the West, this process can lead to energy savings of up to 14% in just the first two years. Many public buildings in Nigeria suffer from poor maintenance and high energy costs, showing how much we stand to gain by improving operational efficiency.
But it’s not just new buildings that need attention. Retrofitting older ones—adding insulation, installing efficient lighting, and improving ventilation can also make a big difference. In simulations using DesignBuilder software, buildings in Nigerian cities like Maiduguri and Lagos showed cooling demand reductions of up to 38% after modest retrofitting. However, in reality, challenges like lack of original blueprints and poor building records make upgrades expensive and complicated.
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Interestingly, even the best design can be undermined by human behavior. A study by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) shows that people’s lifestyles (such as leaving the lights on when not in use, overusing air conditioning, skipping maintenance etc) can account for as much as 80% of its energy use. In Nigeria, where unreliable power supply pushes many to rely on diesel generators, every little act of energy efficiency becomes crucial for both the wallet and the environment.
Globally recognized sustainability standards like LEED, BREEAM, and EDGE are slowly gaining attention in Nigeria. Yet, less than half of construction professionals use these tools in practice. The reasons are clear: high certification costs, lack of incentives, and weak regulation. Experts suggest Nigeria could boost adoption by offering tax incentives for energy-efficient materials, fast-tracking approvals for green buildings, and better enforcing the BEEC. Agencies like the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) could also play a stronger role in both monitoring and educating stakeholders.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s energy future won’t be determined just by how much power we generate. It will be shaped by the decisions made in every construction project—from the design table to daily operations. Forward-looking companies like Julius Berger and The Building Practice Ltd are already showing how sustainability can align with innovation and business success.
The road ahead isn’t without obstacles. But Nigeria has everything to gain by rethinking how it builds. By combining smart designs, efficient operations, public awareness, and supportive policy, our buildings can do more than house people—they can help power our development, protect our climate, and inspire future generations. The shift to energy-efficient buildings must start now—not tomorrow—with the clear intent to build not just bigger, but smarter.
By Dr. Vitus Ijeoma