Stakeholder Management and Project Success in the Nigerian Construction Industry: Evidence from Abuja

This research investigates the relationship between stakeholder management practices and project success in the Nigerian construction industry, with specific reference to commercial and government building projects in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Stakeholder mismanagement is one of the most frequently cited contributors to construction project failures in Nigeria, manifesting in community disruptions, regulatory complications, and contract disputes. This study employs a survey research design with data collected from 110 project managers, quantity surveyors, and site coordinators through structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression. The study evaluates stakeholder management dimensions including stakeholder identification thoroughness, engagement planning quality, communication frequency, conflict resolution responsiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction monitoring. Findings reveal that engagement planning quality and communication frequency are the most significant predictors of project success, measured through cost performance, schedule adherence, and client satisfaction. Stakeholder identification thoroughness was found to be more critical in projects involving land acquisition or community displacement. Conflict resolution responsiveness showed strong positive associations with project completion quality. The study recommends that construction firms in Abuja develop comprehensive stakeholder engagement plans as a project inception requirement, train project managers in conflict resolution, and adopt stakeholder tracking tools. Keywords: stakeholder management, project success, construction industry, Abuja, project management.