Application of Building Information Modelling in Structural Engineering Practice in South-West Nigeria

Building information modelling represents a transformative shift in how structural engineering data is created, shared, and utilised across the project lifecycle, yet its adoption in structural engineering practice in South-West Nigeria remains uneven and largely concentrated in high-value commercial projects. This study investigates the current state of BIM application in structural engineering practice across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States in the South West geopolitical zone, examining adoption drivers, barriers, competency levels, and the outcomes achieved by firms that have implemented BIM workflows. A mixed-methods approach incorporated a structured survey of 97 structural engineering professionals and case studies of four projects where BIM was formally implemented. BIM maturity levels were assessed using the UK BIM Level system adapted for the Nigerian market context. Results indicate that only 23 percent of surveyed firms regularly use BIM tools for structural engineering deliverables, with the remainder producing 2D CAD drawings as the primary output. Lack of client demand and the cost of software licensing were the two most frequently cited adoption barriers. Among BIM-adopting firms, clash detection and quantity take-off automation were the most valued benefits, reducing design coordination time by an average of 31 percent and materials estimation effort by 24 percent. Skills gaps in BIM authoring software, particularly Revit Structure, were identified in 78 percent of surveyed firms. The study recommends a BIM adoption roadmap for Nigerian structural engineering firms, supported by government client mandates on public projects above 2 billion Naira and subsidised BIM training through the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Keywords: building information modelling, structural engineering, South-West Nigeria, BIM adoption, digital construction.