Julius Berger Reaffirms Commitment To Sustainable Urban Development

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban development and environmentally responsible construction.

The firm committed to the Future Cities Summit 2026, organised by the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) in Lagos.

The summit, titled Building the Future: Scaling Sustainability for Greener Cities, brought together leading stakeholders from across the built environment sector to explore innovative and practical solutions to advance sustainable construction, enhance urban resilience, and accelerate the transition to greener cities.

Julius Berger’s Regional Manager, Engr. Thomas Christl, participating as a panellist in the plenary session titled “Materials, Methods, and Margins: Low Carbon Construction Constraints and Opportunities,” identified the high upfront investment required for low-carbon construction as one of the major barriers to wider adoption.

However, he emphasised that sustainable buildings provide significant long-term value through reduced maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency, and lower energy consumption.

“Sustainable construction should be viewed from a lifecycle perspective,” Christl stated, even as he added, “while initial investments may be higher, the long-term economic and environmental benefits far outweigh the costs, delivering value for owners, occupants, and society as a whole.

Highlighting practical pathways to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, Engr Christl underscored the importance of recycled concrete as a viable, sustainable construction material. According to him, reusing concrete from demolished structures can substantially reduce carbon emissions while minimising reliance on newly manufactured materials.

He further called for stronger collaboration among academic institutions, construction companies, material manufacturers, and regulators to establish clear standards and regulatory frameworks that support the adoption of recycled concrete in Nigeria.

“Greater industry collaboration is essential to unlocking the full potential of sustainable construction. By working together, stakeholders can accelerate knowledge transfer, innovation, and the development of practical solutions that can be integrated into projects from the earliest design stages,” Christl noted.

Addressing the industry’s preparedness for sustainable construction, the Regional Manager observed that the challenge lies not in the availability of technical expertise but in ensuring that research findings and emerging innovations are effectively communicated across the construction value chain. He stressed the need for designers, engineers, procurement professionals, contractors, and clients to remain informed about advancements such as greener concrete alternatives and other sustainable building technologies.

Also representing the company at the event was Chief Risk Officer, Mrs Shakira Mustapha.

The panel featured prominent industry experts, including General Manager, Saint-Gobain Nigeria; Mr Tope Ilusanmi, Sustainable Finance Consultant, Alitheia Capital; Miss Ruby Uche, Sustainability and Green Building Consultant, Enflor; and Ariyike Maama Adeshina, who served as moderator. The panel discussion highlighted the critical role of partnerships among government agencies, academia, financial institutions, and private-sector organisations in overcoming the financial, technical, and regulatory challenges of low-carbon construction. Participants agreed that such collaboration is vital to accelerating Nigeria’s transition toward more sustainable, resource-efficient, and resilient urban centres.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc commended the Green Building Council Nigeria for providing a valuable platform for constructive dialogue and knowledge-sharing on sustainable urban development. The company reiterated its commitment to driving innovation in the construction industry, fostering strategic partnerships across the built environment, and supporting initiatives that advance a greener, more sustainable future for Nigeria.

As a leading engineering and construction company, Julius Berger remains dedicated to delivering world-class infrastructure solutions that align with global sustainability goals while supporting the country’s economic growth and urban transformation.