EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF SAWDUST-CEMENT-SAND COMPOSITE AS A SUSTAINABLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE BUILDING MATERIAL ‎

modification techniques. Performance indicators—compressive strength, water absorption, and fire resistance are then examined in conjunction with economic and environmental analyses like life-cycle cost and embodied energy. Practical applications are then delivered through global and local case studies, before concluding by mapping Nigeria’s policy and regulatory environment. To frame this review, a conceptual framework will graphically represent how raw properties of sawdust, processing methods, and composite formulation are directly connected to critical outcome measures like mechanical behavior, economic feasibility, and policy standard conformity. By using a systematic framework, this supports a concise description of the knowledge imperatives of the study to be addressed, including the absence of climate-specific performance data, regulatory uncertainty, and insufficiently explored economic studies based on Nigerian conditions. 2.1 Sustainable Building Materials: Foundations for Context 2.1.1 Definition and Classification Sustainable building materials are defined as those that reduce environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from extraction to disposal, while promoting energy efficiency, resource conservation, and human well-being (Liuzzi, Rubino, Stefanizzi, & Martellotta, 2022). These materials fall into broad categories based on origin and environmental footprint. Common classifications include: i. Natural materials (e.g., bamboo, earth, timber), ii. Recycled or recovered materials (e.g., concrete rubble, fly ash), iii. Renewable materials (e.g., agricultural or agro-i