Significant Factors Causing Cost Overruns in Telecommunication Projects in Nigeria

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides enormous benefits to economic development. However, cost overruns are a worldwide phenomenon and pose a serious threat to the development of telecommunication infrastructure, which is the platform for ICT. It is imperative to examine the possible factors that could lead to cost overruns, in order to avert the associated catalytic effects on the development of other sectors of the economy. This study involves a questionnaire survey of 42 factors that were identified as having the potential to cause cost overruns in 53 telecommunication projects that are scattered over the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The results indicated that construction-related factors top the list of categories that cause cost overruns in telecommunication projects. The following factors were identified as major causes of cost overruns and are ranked in their order of importance: the lack of contractor experience on the telecommunication projects, the high cost of imported materials and the fluctuation in the prices of materials that are necessary for the telecommunication projects. The study recommends that contingency provisions should be put in place to mitigate these factors at the project conception stage

Predicting the academic success of architecture students by pre-enrolment requirement: using machine-learning techniques

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of applicants seeking admission into architecture programmes. As expected, prior academic performance (also referred to as pre-enrolment requirement) is a major factor considered during the process of selecting applicants. In the present study, machine learning models were used to predict academic success of architecture students based on information provided in prior academic performance. Two modeling techniques, namely K-nearest neighbour (k-NN) and linear discriminant analysis were applied in the study. It was found that K-nearest neighbour (k-NN) outperforms the linear discriminant analysis model in terms of accuracy. In addition, grades obtained in mathematics (at ordinary level examinations) had a significant impact on the academic success of undergraduate architecture students. This paper makes a modest contribution to the ongoing discussion on the relationship between prior academic performance and academic success of undergraduate students by evaluating this proposition. One of the issues that emerges from these findings is that prior academic performance can be used as a predictor of academic success in undergraduate architecture programmes. Overall, the developed k-NN model can serve as a valuable tool during the process of selecting new intakes into undergraduate architecture programmes in Nigeria

Comparative Analysis of Sandcrete Hollow Blocks and Laterite Interlocking Blocks as Walling Elements

This study considered the production and testing of sandcrete hollow blocks and laterite interlocking blocks with a view to comparing their physical characteristics and production cost. Some units of sandcrete hollow blocks and laterite interlocking blocks were made using machine vibrated sandcrete block mould and hydraulic interlocking block making machine respectively. The blocks were tested to determine their density and compressive strength. The results obtained from the tests were compared with the specifications of Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (2006), Nigerian Building Code (2006), and Nigerian Industrial Standards (2000). The results indicated that the compressive strength of 225mm and 150mm sandcrete hollow blocks varies from 1.59 N/mm2 to 4.25 N/mm2 and 1.48N/mm2 to 3.35N/mm2 respectively, as the curing age increases from 7 to 28 days. For laterite interlocking blocks, the strength varies from 1.70N/mm2 at 7 days to 5.03N/mm2 at 28 days. All the blocks produced satisfied the minimum requirements in terms of compressive strength, by all available codes. The cost per square metre of 225mm and 150mm sandcrete hollow blocks are ₦2,808:00 and ₦2,340:00 respectively, while that of laterite interlocking blocks is â‚¦2,121:20.It was concluded that laterite interlocking blocks have better strength and are cheaper than sandcrete hollow blocks.                                                                                                                                         &nbsp

African BIM Report 2020

While it may seem like the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) across Africa is slow-paced, the increasing advocacy efforts from various stakeholders is now resulting in a widespread drive for implementation and deployment. Coupled with the ongoing disruption by the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is now a very high degree of the utilization of digital technologies by construction professionals. As a first of its kind across the continent, the African BIM Report was conceived to provide a continuous review of the state of implementation of BIM by the industry. The report will progressively highlight exceptional projects, industry leaders and research experts across Africa. A pan-African survey will integrate the opinion from a wider range of professionals. As a dynamic, future-focused, and thriving community, BIM Africa is well-positioned to champion the digital transformation of the built industry across Africa. Our approach covers broad industry education, extensive research, professional development and certifications, quality networking and the formulation of locally adapted standards. Our Research and Development Committee comprises of a thriving portfolio of internationally certified and brilliant academic researchers of African descent; the coming together of bright minds to impact their motherland