The need to address the problems facing the natural environment and social economic development cannot be overemphasised. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of firm size on the level of implementation of sustainability practices in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Survey design approach was used in the study. Data were obtained through interviews and one thousand one hundred and seventy-nine copies of structured questionnaire administered to representatives of the firms by researchers and research assistants. The methods of data analysis were simple percentage and Spearman’s rank correlation. The result showed that small firms accounted for 84.7 %, medium-sized firms accounted for 11.61 % and large construction firms accounted for 3.73 %. Thus, a majority of firms are small and medium-sized construction companies in Niger Delta. The study revealed that the firm size influenced the level of implementation of firm sustainability practices in the study area. It was concluded that the size of firms had a significant influence on the level of adoption of sustainability practices among the construction firms operating in Niger Delta. It was also concluded that small and medium-sized construction firms recorded poor capacity building and human capital development. The study recommended that small and medium-sized construction firms operating in Niger Delta should improve their level of capacity building and human capital development.

The aim of the study is to examine the effect of periwinkle shell ash (PSA) blended with cement on the water absorption and shrinkage of lateritic blocks. The objectives that would help achieve the stated aim are to investigate the water absorption and shrinkage properties of lateritic blocks blended with periwinkle shell ash/cement. The following methods were used during the research: sedimentation test, standard proctor test, Atterberg’s limit test, smell and Nibble tests. Specific gravity of PSA, bulk density and porosity of PSA were carried out. 5 % of the cement and percentage replacement levels of 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 % and 50 % of cement with PSA were used for block production. 21 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm blocks were moulded, cured and subjected to water absorption and shrinkage tests. Data were collected and analysed using graphs, correlation and regression analyses. Result shows that percentage water absorption for replacement levels 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 % were 12.08 %, 16.38 %, 18.21 %, 19.95 %. Again, from 0 % replacement to 30 % replacement of cement with PSA, the linear shrinkage increased from 1.5 mm to 2.8 mm. It implies that up to 30 %, the maximum crack the block could form is 2.8 mm, whereas the maximum allowable crack width for walling materials is 3.0 mm. Therefore, percentage replacement of up to 30 % is recommended for use in lateritic block.

Real estate entrepreneurship training and education in tertiary institutions can be a source of remedy to unemployment in Nigeria. World Bank (2019) reveals that Nigeria unemployment rate was 6.03 % in the year 2018 and the country ranked 83rd with high unemployment. The aim of the research is to examine the perception and responses of undergraduates of Estate Management and Valuation on entrepreneurship training and education for professional competence. The University of Uyo was studied and particularly Estate Management undergraduates during the academic years of 2014/2015–2018/2019. The method of the research was a descriptive study. Data were obtained from the mean scores of the class assessments (CAs) and the examination scores (ESs) administered to the students on selected courses related to entrepreneurial education. The students’ performance was used as an indicator for their willingness to adhere to entrepreneurial education in Real Estate Management and Valuation. The National Universities Commission grading scale was adopted (A = 70–100; B = 60–69; C = 50–59; D = 45–49; E = 40–44; F = 0–39). The finding shows that the score for all the courses was above 50 %. The entrepreneurial study was 62 %, which was “B” grade of National Universities Commission scale. The study, therefore, concludes that the students of estate management were willing to adhere to entrepreneurial training and education from their scores. The study recommends the provision of adequate learning environment, qualified teaching staff and provision of technical resources.

Variance in the cost method of valuation as caused by certain variables is objectionable in the profession of estate surveying and valuation at both local and international best practices. The study aimed at determining the variables for the variance in the application of the cost method of valuation for estate surveying and valuation practice in Uyo. The sample of the population used for the research comprised 110 estate surveyors in Uyo. The survey method was used for the research. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using standard deviation and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings showed that depreciation rates of σ2 =113.974 and σ = 10.676 were over 60% of the total variance of values among estate surveyors and valuers. The construction rates and errors in manual measurements and computation of areas, volumes and dimensions showed σ2 = 6.004 and σ = 2.4503, which accounted for 15% of total variance. The study recommends the use of a regional-based scientific approach to measure depreciation for consistency and high precision. Automated techniques, such as GPS, AutoCAD, Google Earth pro, are recommended to minimize variance in measurements.