Study of Customer Quality Expectations for Technical Textiles in the Nigerian Construction Sector

Technical textiles used in construction applications, including geotextiles, roofing membranes, and architectural shade fabrics, must meet specific performance standards that end-user clients and contractors may define differently from laboratory test specifications. This study examines customer quality expectations for technical textiles among construction sector buyers in Abuja, North Central Nigeria, identifying the gap between specification requirements and practical performance priorities. A structured survey was administered to 78 civil engineers, procurement officers, and construction project managers involved in specification and procurement of construction technical textiles. Quality attribute importance ratings were collected for tensile strength, elongation, ultraviolet resistance, durability under Nigerian climatic conditions, dimensional stability, and compliance with international technical standards. Willingness-to-pay premium for certified quality products versus uncertified alternatives was assessed. Focus group discussions with procurement specialists provided qualitative depth on supplier selection criteria and quality assurance challenges. Results indicate that ultraviolet resistance and long-term durability were rated as the most critical performance attributes by 74 percent of respondents, reflecting the demanding thermal environment of North Central Nigeria. International certification mark presence was cited as a primary trust signal by 61 percent in supplier selection decisions. Price premium tolerance for certified products averaged 18 percent above unverified alternatives. Respondents reported significant difficulty in accessing reliable testing laboratories to verify product claims. The study recommends investment in accredited technical textile testing laboratories in Abuja and development of a Nigerian construction technical textile procurement specification guide for the public sector. Keywords: technical textiles, customer quality expectations, construction sector, Abuja, procurement