Assessment of Green Building Cost Premiums and Client Awareness in Abuja

The adoption of green building principles in Nigeria is gaining momentum, yet the perception of high cost premiums remains a significant deterrent for private developers and institutional clients. This study assesses green building cost premiums and the level of client awareness in Abuja, with particular focus on commercial and institutional projects registered between 2021 and 2024. A survey research design was adopted, with 90 quantity surveyors, architects, and client representatives as respondents. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings indicate that clients and design team members overestimate green building cost premiums by an average of 15%, with actual cost increases for standard green-certified buildings ranging from 2% to 8% depending on specification levels. The study finds that awareness of available incentives, such as tax rebates for energy-efficient buildings, remains low among private developers. Quantity surveyors report that clients frequently decline green options due to perceived unaffordability without exploring the long-term operational cost savings. Recommendations include public awareness campaigns by the Nigerian Green Building Council, the development of a local green cost database, and integration of life cycle costing tools into standard design practice. This research contributes to sustainable construction cost management literature in Nigeria's FCT. Keywords: green building, cost premium, client awareness, Abuja, life cycle costing