An Assessment of Stakeholders' Engagement in Building Material Recovery within Circular Economy Framework in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban development in most cities have been associated with increased Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste generation. This study evaluates the extent of stakeholder engagement throughout the construction process in Abuja. Using a quantitative cross-sectional approach, 344 well-structured questionnaires were distributed to construction stakeholders. Responses received were 168 (48.8% response rate). Data was analysed using relative importance indices, mean and percentages. The study found that early engagement during planning and design was seen as most important (M=3.86). However, Building Material Recovery (BMR) planning on site was very weak. Off-site reuse/resale through informal secondary markets dominates material valorization (mean = 3.98), whereas formal contractual mandates for Circular Economy (CE) (mean = 2.90) and recycled procurement specifications (mean = 2.50) are severely lagging. The study concludes that current BMR practices in Abuja are largely reactive and informal-market-driven rather than proactivity-engineered. It recommends the institutionalization of regulatory frameworks, mandatory pre-demolition audits, and formal public-private partnerships (PPPs) for C&D waste processing infrastructure to enhance environmental performance outcomes.