Bingham University Hosts 12th Inaugural Lecture: Prof. Gandu Advocates for Proactive "Mutating" Construction Systems

Bingham University has held its 12th inaugural lecture, on mutating construction systems and its implication on the production flow process delivered by Prof. Yusuf Joe Gandu at the university’s campus, Karu, Nasarawa State.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba, welcomed distinguished guests, staff, students, and stakeholders to the landmark event, describing it as a significant addition to the University’s growing academic culture. He noted that the lecture, delivered by Prof. Yusuf Joe Gandu of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, represents a major milestone for the faculty, being its first contribution to the University’s inaugural lecture series.

Prof. Ayuba emphasized that the theme of the lecture reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the construction industry, which continues to experience shifts driven by technological advancement, environmental considerations, socio-economic realities, and changing client expectations. According to him, understanding how these transformations affect production processes is essential for improving efficiency, managing costs, and delivering sustainable projects. He further underscored the value of such intellectual engagements in preparing both students and professionals to navigate the complexities of modern construction practice.

The Vice-Chancellor also commended Prof. Gandu for his contributions to the University, particularly his leadership in promoting a cleaner and more sustainable campus environment. He noted that the inaugural lecture series remains a cherished academic tradition and revealed that the University is compiling its first ten inaugural lectures into a compendium to serve as a resource for postgraduate students and researchers.

Delivering the inaugural lecture, Prof. Yusuf Joe Gandu provided a comprehensive exploration of what he described as the “mutating construction system,” explaining that transformation in the sector occurs gradually across its subsystems, including production technology, design processes, and organizational frameworks. He argued that construction should be understood as a production flow process involving interconnected stages from project conception and design to procurement, construction, and final delivery.

Within this evolving landscape, he highlighted the central role of the quantity surveyor in ensuring cost efficiency, value for money, and effective coordination across the construction supply chain. Despite advancements in technology and practice, Professor Gandu observed that the industry continues to struggle with persistent challenges of cost overruns, project delays, and quality deficiencies, often referred to as the “devil’s triangle” of construction performance.

Drawing on global examples, he referenced the rapid construction of a 1,000-bed hospital in Wuhan, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence that innovation, particularly prefabrication and modular construction, can significantly improve project outcomes in terms of time, cost, and quality. This, he noted, challenges the long-standing perception that the construction industry is resistant to change.

The lecture further traced the evolution of construction through different historical phases, culminating in the current digital era characterized by the integration of information and communication technologies. While innovations such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) have enhanced collaboration and real-time project management, he pointed out that gaps remain in knowledge management, user behavior, and proactive control systems.

A key contribution of the lecture was the presentation of a proactive cost management model developed through research, which integrates best practices, knowledge management frameworks, and predictive analytical tools. Professor Gandu advocated a shift from reactive to proactive management approaches, emphasizing anticipation, early intervention, and data-driven decision-making as critical to improving project performance.

He also examined the influence of leadership on construction outcomes, identifying transactional leadership as having the most significant positive impact on cost, time, and quality. On dispute management, he noted that while Alternative Dispute Resolution methods are widely used in the industry, they have not substantially reduced project inefficiencies, thereby necessitating more proactive and strategic approaches.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Gandu called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, greater adoption of digital technologies, and deliberate investment in capacity building to prepare the industry for the demands of a rapidly changing environment.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar of Bingham University, Mr. Daburi Bello Misal, commended Professor Yusuf Joe Gandu for his impactful lecture and appreciated his family’s support. He also praised the Vice-Chancellor, for promoting the University’s inaugural lecture culture.

He thanked the organising committee, Senate, management, members of the University community and invited guests for contributing to the success of the event and wished everyone a safe journey home.