Evaluation of Quantity Surveying Practice in the Management of Humanitarian Construction in North East Nigeria

Humanitarian construction programmes in conflict and crisis-affected regions demand a distinct set of quantity surveying competencies that combine technical rigour with adaptive management in resource-constrained environments. This study evaluates the role and effectiveness of quantity surveying practice in humanitarian construction activities in North East Nigeria, focusing on shelter, school, and health facility construction by NGOs and international agencies in Borno and Yobe States. A qualitative-led mixed-method design was used, with 68 respondents comprising quantity surveyors, project managers, and humanitarian programme coordinators. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis provided the primary data. Analysis employed thematic coding and descriptive statistics. Findings reveal significant gaps between standard professional quantity surveying practice and the adaptive approaches required in humanitarian settings, including compressed procurement timelines, community participation imperatives, and non-standard material supply chains. Cost estimation in humanitarian contexts is found to be inaccurate due to market disruption and limited benchmark data. The study identifies the absence of a humanitarian construction cost framework specific to North East Nigeria as a critical gap. Recommendations include development of humanitarian construction cost benchmarks in partnership with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, integration of humanitarian project management into quantity surveying graduate programmes, and professional practice guidance from NIQS for practitioners in fragile environments. Keywords: humanitarian construction, North East Nigeria, quantity surveying, cost management, fragile environment