ASSESSING SELECTION OF PROCUREMENT METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN UNIVERSITY OF JOS

ABSTRACT The success of building projects is strongly influenced by the choice of contract adopted for their procurement and delivery. This study examined the choiceof procurement methods in project delivery in Plateau State, Nigeria with the following objectives, identify procurement methods being used in project delivery in University of Jos, Assess the different scenarios under which each of the identified procurement methods are used., Evaluate the criteria used for selecting procurement methods in the University of Jos. A descriptive survey design was employed, and structured questionnaires were administered to 100 construction professionals, of which 89 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that lump sum contracts are the most widely used in the study area, particularly for residential and commercial projects. However, lump sum contracts based on approximate quantities recorded the highest cost variances, reflecting risks associated with inaccurate estimates. Design and Build contracts were shown to significantly affect project timelines, while Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts exhibited the greatest variance in project duration due to complexity and bureaucratic processes. Cost-plus contracts were most linked to rework and inefficiencies arising from weak cost control mechanisms. The study concludes that contract choice has a direct impact on project outcomes, especially in terms of cost, time, and quality. It recommends that stakeholders carefully match contract types to project characteristics, strengthen cost planning and monitoring practices, and adopt robust institutional frameworks to minimize risks of delay, cost overruns, and rework.