Project Management of Structural Steel Construction in Industrial Facilities in Lagos Free Trade Zone

The management of structural steel construction projects in industrial facility development demands a synthesis of engineering knowledge, procurement coordination, and schedule discipline, particularly in free trade zones where international supply chains and regulatory frameworks intersect with local execution capacity. This study examines project management practices applied in five structural steel construction projects at the Lagos Free Trade Zone in the South West geopolitical zone, focusing on planning, procurement, quality management, and schedule performance. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with project managers, site engineers, and procurement officers, supplemented by analysis of project schedules, change order logs, and quality control records. A project management maturity assessment was conducted at each site using a framework adapted from the Project Management Institute's OPM3 model. Results indicate that procurement delays for structural steel sections and connection components, averaging 6.8 weeks beyond schedule, were the most significant contributor to project overruns in four of the five projects. Quality control non-conformances related to weld inspection and bolt torquing were recorded at rates three times higher on contracts without a dedicated quality management plan. Projects with formally appointed site-based project managers using earned value management outperformed equivalents managed through informal site supervision by an average of 21 days on schedule. The study recommends adoption of integrated procurement-schedule management tools, mandatory welding inspection by CSWIP-certified inspectors, and client-mandated project management plans as conditions of contract award. Keywords: project management, structural steel, industrial facilities, Lagos, construction scheduling.