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

References

[1] Aghimien, D. O., Makanjuola, S., & Fadeke, T. (2016). Drivers and barriers of compressed stabilized interlocking earth blocks for building construction in Nigeria. In Proceedings of the Joint International Conference on Human Habitat (FUTA, Nigeria).

[2] Akur, J., et al. (2012). Issues and challenges in the use of compressed stabilized earth blocks in Uganda. Building Research & Information, 40(4), 442–458.

[3] Aliyu, A., & Bello, J. (2020). Sustainable building materials: A review of ISSB and alternatives. Journal of Architectural Engineering & Technology, 9(3), 1–8.

[4] Allwood, J. M., et al. (2019). Sustainable construction materials. Cambridge University Press.

[5] Bala, K. A., & Patanakar, B. (2022). Green construction materials for low-income housing in Nigeria: Prospects and challenges. In ACASH Conference Proceedings.

[6] Ibitoye, O. A. (2025). A critical analysis of interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSB) in residential architecture: A case study of Obayemi House, Redemption Camp, Ogun State. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 6(3), 562–569.

[7] Ibitoye, O. A., Abiola, O. A., & Babamboni, A. S. (2023). Demographic characteristics of housing estates developed with ISSB technology in selected Southwestern Nigerian (SWN) cities. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 7(2), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0702-2038

[8] Ibitoye, O. A., Alagbe, O., & Dare-Abel, O. (2022). Comparative cost advantages of interlocking stabilized soil block and sandcrete block for building construction in South-West Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, 5(5), 549–558.

[9] Ibitoye, O. A., & Dare-Abel, O. (2022). Assessment of interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSBs) as panacea for sustainable housing projects in Nigeria. In Proceedings of the Caleb University Disruptive Innovation Conference.

[10] Ibitoye, O. A., Ogunleye, G. O., Owolabi, T. O. S., Babamboni, A. S., & Afolabi, T. (2026). Beyond affordability: A statistical analysis of psychological and institutional barriers to ISSB adoption in Nigeria’s construction industry. International Journal of Spectrum Research, 2(1), 50–59.

[11] Ibitoye, O. A., & Tolu-Alalade, J. O. (2026). Thermal performance of interlocking stabilised soil blocks (ISSB) for passive and sustainable building design. Asian Journal of Geographical Research, 9(2), 54–63.

[12] Ibitoye, O. A., Alagbe, O., Olatunde, A., et al. (2024). The homogeneity of ISSB building envelopes towards promoting widespread adoption for sustainable housing projects in sub-Saharan African cities. In Proceedings of the Caleb University Conference on Disruptive Innovation and Creativity.

[13] Obeta, I. C., & Olatunji, O. (2016). Promoting alternative building technology for sustainable housing in Nigeria. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 23(4), 456–472.

[14] Olaleye, A. A., & Ibitoye, O. A. (2023). Architect’s response on utilisation of interlocking stabilised soil blocks as an alternative building material for housing projects in Southwest Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 6(5), 198–202. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2022-0605-1191

[15] Omoregie, A. D., Alabi, A. O., & Imuetinyan, A. E. (2016). Providing sustainability in educational buildings through the use of compressed stabilized interlocking earth blocks. Journal of Construction Engineering, Technology and Management, 6(2), 130–140.

[16] Oyebamiji, I. O., & Afolami, A. J. (2017). Thermal comfort in housing with laterite interlocking blocks in Nigeria. FUTY Journal of the Environment, 11(1), 120–135.

[17] Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.

[18] Sanewu, I. F. (2020). Structural response of interlocking stabilized laterite soil block panels for single-storey housing [Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-COETEC].

[19] Sanewu, I. F., Kaluli, J. W., Ngunjiri, L. M., & Kinuthia, J. (2022). Acceptability of interlocking soil block technology in Kenya’s construction industry. In Proceedings of the Sustainable Research and Innovation Conference, 257–261.

[20] Sonebi, M., Abdalqader, A., Amziane, S., Dvorkin, L., Ghorbel, E., Kenai, S., Khatib, J., Lushnikova, N., & Perrot, A. (2022). Trends and opportunities of using local sustainable building materials in the Middle East and North Africa region. RILEM Technical Letters, 7, 127–138.

[21] Uduma, O., et al. (2022). Comparative life-cycle cost analysis of ISSB vs. sandcrete in Southwest Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Project Publications, 7(3).

[22] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2023). Sustainable construction techniques: Use of interlocking stabilized soil blocks.

[23] UN-Habitat. (2009). Interlocking stabilized soil blocks: Appropriate earth technologies in Uganda.

@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},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719601}
  }