Barriers To the Commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Nigeria’s Construction Industry

• Author(s): Aofolaju Temiloluwa O.D.; Omokhomion King E.; Oladele Favour; Ogunmolawa Louis; Okengwu Collins C.; Olasunkanmi Olabode A.; Olarenwaju Emmanuel O.; Abel Kayode O.; Oladipọ Michael Ì.; Rominiyi Odunayo J.
• Paper ID: 1719601
• Page: 859-875
• Published Date: 08-07-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 10 Issue 1 July-2026

Abstract

The commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block (ISSB) technology has been widely recognized as a viable approach to promoting sustainable construction, reducing housing costs, and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with conventional building materials. Despite its numerous technical, economic, and environmental advantages, the adoption and commercialization of ISSB technology in Nigeria remain relatively low. This study assessed the barriers to the commercialization of ISSB technology within Nigeria's construction industry by examining the perceptions of construction professionals and key stakeholders. A quantitative research approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 185 respondents comprising architects, builders, engineers, quantity surveyors, ISSB manufacturers, material suppliers, and government officials. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), Cronbach's Alpha reliability test, Spearman's Rank Correlation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The findings revealed that lack of awareness and inadequate knowledge of ISSB technology (RII = 0.92), high cost of ISSB block press equipment (RII = 0.88), limited technical skills and trained personnel (RII = 0.85), insufficient government support and policy frameworks (RII = 0.80), and negative public perception of earth-based construction materials (RII = 0.79) constitute the most significant barriers to ISSB commercialization in Nigeria. Factor analysis further classified these barriers into three principal dimensions: technical and economic constraints, institutional barriers, and market and social acceptance. The study concludes that the commercialization of ISSB technology requires coordinated interventions involving government agencies, professional institutions, manufacturers, financial organizations, and academia. It recommends the establishment of national standards for ISSB production, improved stakeholder awareness through continuous professional education, financial incentives for equipment acquisition, expanded technical training programmes, and the implementation of demonstration housing projects to accelerate the adoption of ISSB technology and promote sustainable housing development in Nigeria.

Keywords

Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSB), commercialization, sustainable construction, affordable housing, construction industry, Relative Importance Index, Nigeria.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Aofolaju Temiloluwa O.D., Omokhomion King E.; Oladele Favour, Ogunmolawa Louis; Okengwu Collins C., Olasunkanmi Olabode A.; Olarenwaju Emmanuel O., Abel Kayode O.; Oladipọ Michael Ì.; Rominiyi Odunayo J. "Barriers To the Commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Nigeria’s Construction Industry" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 10 Issue 1 2026 Page 859-875

IEEE:
Aofolaju Temiloluwa O.D., Omokhomion King E.; Oladele Favour, Ogunmolawa Louis; Okengwu Collins C., Olasunkanmi Olabode A.; Olarenwaju Emmanuel O., Abel Kayode O.; Oladipọ Michael Ì.; Rominiyi Odunayo J. "Barriers To the Commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Nigeria’s Construction Industry" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026

APA:
Aofolaju Temiloluwa O.D., Omokhomion King E.; Oladele Favour, Ogunmolawa Louis; Okengwu Collins C., Olasunkanmi Olabode A.; Olarenwaju Emmanuel O., Abel Kayode O.; Oladipọ Michael Ì.; Rominiyi Odunayo J. (2026). Barriers To the Commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Nigeria’s Construction Industry. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 10(1).

MLA:
Aofolaju Temiloluwa O.D., Omokhomion King E.; Oladele Favour, Ogunmolawa Louis; Okengwu Collins C., Olasunkanmi Olabode A.; Olarenwaju Emmanuel O., Abel Kayode O.; Oladipọ Michael Ì.; Rominiyi Odunayo J. "Barriers To the Commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Nigeria’s Construction Industry" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026.

BibTeX

@article{1719601,
author = {Aofolaju Temiloluwa O.D., Omokhomion King E.; Oladele Favour, Ogunmolawa Louis; Okengwu Collins C., Olasunkanmi Olabode A.; Olarenwaju Emmanuel O., Abel Kayode O.; Oladipọ Michael Ì.; Rominiyi Odunayo J.},
title = {Barriers To the Commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Nigeria’s Construction Industry},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {859-875},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719601.pdf},
abstract = {The commercialization of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block (ISSB) technology has been widely recognized as a viable approach to promoting sustainable construction, reducing housing costs, and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with conventional building materials. Despite its numerous technical, economic, and environmental advantages, the adoption and commercialization of ISSB technology in Nigeria remain relatively low. This study assessed the barriers to the commercialization of ISSB technology within Nigeria's construction industry by examining the perceptions of construction professionals and key stakeholders. A quantitative research approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 185 respondents comprising architects, builders, engineers, quantity surveyors, ISSB manufacturers, material suppliers, and government officials. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), Cronbach's Alpha reliability test, Spearman's Rank Correlation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The findings revealed that lack of awareness and inadequate knowledge of ISSB technology (RII = 0.92), high cost of ISSB block press equipment (RII = 0.88), limited technical skills and trained personnel (RII = 0.85), insufficient government support and policy frameworks (RII = 0.80), and negative public perception of earth-based construction materials (RII = 0.79) constitute the most significant barriers to ISSB commercialization in Nigeria. Factor analysis further classified these barriers into three principal dimensions: technical and economic constraints, institutional barriers, and market and social acceptance. The study concludes that the commercialization of ISSB technology requires coordinated interventions involving government agencies, professional institutions, manufacturers, financial organizations, and academia. It recommends the establishment of national standards for ISSB production, improved stakeholder awareness through continuous professional education, financial incentives for equipment acquisition, expanded technical training programmes, and the implementation of demonstration housing projects to accelerate the adoption of ISSB technology and promote sustainable housing development in Nigeria.},
keywords = {Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSB), commercialization, sustainable construction, affordable housing, construction industry, Relative Importance Index, Nigeria.},
month = {July}
}