A Review of Ethical Values and Unethical Practices in the Nigerian Building Construction Industry

Abstract

The building industry remains critical in enabling the three pillars of sustainability, namely: people (social sustainability), planet (environmental sustainability), and profit (economic sustainability). Unfortunately, the Nigerian building construction sector, as with other economies, is fraught with systemic ethical challenges that undermine its potential. By thematically analysing 49 related studies using the PRISMA framework, this study reviewed ethical values and unethical practices, identified core ethical principles relevant to the construction industry, and outlined prevalent unethical behaviours in the sector, including bribery, fraud, money laundering, bid-rigging, and health and safety negligence. It concluded by emphasising multifaceted stakeholder actions from clients, professionals, regulatory bodies, government agencies, and the public to promote ethical conduct and improve the technical integrity and sustainability of construction projects in Nigeria.