AfriPulse
Nile University of Nigeria has reaffirmed its reputation as a hub of thought leadership and innovation with the delivery of its 5th Inaugural Lecture, where Engineer Professor Abdulhameed Danjuma Mambo, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, made a compelling case for sustainable building practices in Nigeria.
The lecture, titled “Beyond Concepts and Concrete: Pathways for Advancing Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure in 21st Century Nigeria,” was held on Thursday October 30, 2025, before a distinguished audience comprising academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and students.
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In a deeply researched and engaging presentation, Prof. Mambo described Nigeria’s construction trajectory as “a ticking time bomb,” citing alarming data that underscore the urgency of change. He noted that Nigeria currently faces a housing deficit of 28 million units, with its population projected to exceed 400 million by 2050. Yet, an estimated 75% of existing buildings fall short of standard construction requirements.
“Where will these millions live, work, and thrive?” Prof. Mambo questioned. “The dominant reliance on imported designs and materials, often unsuitable for our local climate, has led to overdependence on artificial cooling, further straining our fragile energy grid.”
The professor emphasized that the traditional “take-make-dispose” model of construction has reached its limits, with concrete alone accounting for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions. He warned that without a national shift in mindset and practice, Nigeria risks deepening its environmental and infrastructural vulnerabilities.
Drawing from decades of research, including collaborations with Loughborough University (UK), UN-Habitat, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Prof. Mambo showcased homegrown innovations such as the use of palm kernel shells in concrete, treated sisal fibres for reinforcement, and plastic waste repurposed into durable building materials.
He concluded with a call to collective responsibility:
“The pathways are illuminated,” he declared. “Let us not shy away from the scale of the challenge, but rather be inspired by the magnitude of the opportunity to build a greener, more resilient Nigeria.”
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Nile University of Nigeria, Professor Dilli Dogo,FNAMed,DFMC, commended Professor Mambo for his timely and transformative contribution to the national discourse on sustainability
“Inaugural lectures are a cornerstone of academic life, representing the pinnacle of a scholar’s research and a vital platform for sharing groundbreaking ideas with the wider community. Professor Mambo’s lecture exemplifies this tradition perfectly. His topic moves beyond a theoretical exercise to address one of the most pressing issues of our time, how we build our future in harmony with our planet. By dissecting the environmental footprint of our built environment and proposing actionable, context-specific pathways for Nigeria, this lecture makes a profound contribution to the global discourse on sustainable development. It challenges us to rethink our approach to urbanization and infrastructure, aligning directly with both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and our national aspirations for a resilient and prosperous future. Nile University is proud to host such critical dialogues that bridge academic rigor with tangible societal impact.”
About Nile University of Nigeria
Nile University of Nigeria is a private multidisciplinary university established in 2009 and located in Abuja, Nigeria. Nile University is committed to building future generations of professionals and leaders who can thrive and positively impact society by leveraging academic innovation, state-of-the-art facilities, and a talented team of faculty and staff. The university currently has eight faculties (Health Sciences, Law, Engineering, Computing, Science, Arts & Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Environmental Sciences) and a School of Postgraduate Studies offering over 40 undergraduate programmes and more than 50 postgraduate programmes. Nile University is owned by Honoris United Universities, the first and largest pan-African private higher education with 16 institutions across 10 African countries.
About Honoris United Universities
Honoris United Universities is the first and largest pan-African private higher education network committed to transforming lives through relevant education for lifetime success. Collaborative intelligence, cultural agility, and mobile mindsets are at the heart of the Honoris approach to educating the next generation of leaders and professionals to make a transformative impact on a global scale. Honoris combines the expertise of its member institutions to develop world-class African human talent with an entrepreneurial mindset and 21st-century skills to thrive in the world of work.
Recognized as a New Champion by the World Economic Forum, Honoris comprises a community of 100,000+ students on 76 campuses in 26 cities. The network is formed of 16 institutions: multidisciplinary universities, specialized schools, technical and vocational institutes, contact, distance, and online institutions. Honoris has transformed more than 1.2 million lives to date with a legacy of 250+ years of experience in education, supported by exclusive academic partnerships and exchange programs in more than 250 universities across Europe, North America, and Asia. To strengthen its employability mandate, students benefit from an ecosystem of over 1,000 employer partners. More than 490 degrees are offered in Medicine, Health Sciences, Engineering, IT, Business, Law, Architecture, Digital and Creative Arts, Fashion and Design, Media, Political Science, and Education.
Honoris United Universities. Education for Impact. www.honoris.net
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For Media Information
Abel Kure
Senior Marketing Communications & PR Officer
Nile University of Nigeria.
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