**2.2 Efforts towards green building development in Nigeria**

Efforts towards green building development kick started in 2014 with the registration of the green Building Council of Nigeria (GBCN) with the World Green Building Council (WGBC) as a probationer member [15]. This is in contrast with some African countries like Malaysia. The establishment of the 3rd Malaysian Development plan of 1976–1980 was followed by establishing the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP) and the introduction of the green Building Index (GBI) [16].

Although, Nigeria is prospecting the adoption of the South African Green Star rating tool, [15] believes it would have no significant impact on investment in green building development in Nigeria. According to him, the Green Star does not imply a serious commitment to green building development. Therefore, the use of the Green Star may not sufficiently improve green building development in Nigeria. It should therefore be a temporary measure for Nigeria to develop her own rating tool. Conclusively, efforts towards green building development are at infancy in Nigeria unlike the duo of South Africa and Malaysia [17, 18].

However, the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Power, Steel and Housing in 2016 developed the building Energy Efficiency Guideline (BEEG). The BEEG is in cognizance of the energy situation in Nigeria and the life cycle cost implication on buildings. Efficient energy performance is a key criterion for green building development. The electricity burden on Nigeria is huge and this has been a major albatross to the housing development program. With a large percentage of

the population lacking access to constant electricity supply, any step taken towards energy efficient building is of great importance. The establishment of the BEEG is noteworthy since most green building rating tools kick started from the energy efficient point such as the GBI, LEEDv1 and many others [19–21]. The Nigerian BEEG provides regulations and information on the development of efficient residential and office energy costs [22].

Office ventilation accounted for 40–68% of electrical consumption, lighting (13–37%), and office equipment (12–25%) [23]. Energy required for Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC) for residential buildings in Nigeria is 50% compared to only 15% required for lighting. These have great implication for life cycle costs of the building projects while contributing significantly to greenhouse gas effect. Thus, a meaningful housing provision for the teeming populace must meet the energy requirement for a green housing development. The BEEG in conjunction with other green rating systems will enhance the quality of the future housing provision in Nigeria.

Developing the BEEG included a general review of various building assessment tools. The LEED and Green Star-SA were recommended for use and probable adaptation in Nigeria. The LEED has about 317,039 gross square meters of certified and registered building projects in Nigeria [15]. There are over 135 countries using LEED. Some of the LEED certified buildings in Nigeria include the Heritage Place in Ikoyi Lagos, The NOX building in Abuja (Gold rated), P&G Nigeria MDO warehouse, AfDB Nigeria Field Office in Abuja and some others [24]. Reiterating the need for green housing development in Nigeria, [25] identified lack of awareness, lack of enabling policies and legislation to encourage prospective clients and unfavorable economic situation as challenges to green building development in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, the sorry state of the Nigerian housing sector and the demographics requires the implementation of green building practices to achieve appropriate future housing.
