GREEN PROCUREMENT PRACTICES FOR BUILDING CLIMATE-RESILIENT TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

Climate change increasingly threatens transport infrastructure in Nigeria through flooding, erosion, extreme heat, and sea-level rise, exposing a persistent gap between policy commitments and procurement practice. This study investigates how green procurement can be operationalized to enhance climate resilience in transport infrastructure delivery. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining policy analysis, multi-case evaluation of ten projects, and thirty stakeholder interviews across federal and state levels. Findings indicate that while the Public Procurement Act (2007) ensures transparency and competition, it lacks mandatory provisions for climate risk assessment, life-cycle costing (LCC), and enforceable environmental performance criteria. A benchmarking analysis yields an Integrated Procurement-Resilience Performance Score (IPRPS) of approximately 42%, reflecting moderate-to-low alignment with global best practices, with resilience integration largely driven by donor-funded initiatives rather than institutionalized frameworks. To address these gaps, the study proposes a Green Procurement Implementation Model (GPIM) integrating LCC, resilience benchmarks, supplier compliance systems, and innovation incentives. The study repositions procurement as a strategic governance instrument for climate resilience and provides actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to deliver durable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient transport infrastructure in developing economies.