Towards Rethinking Public–Private Partnership Implementation: Insights from the Nigerian Context

Abstract

Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) continue to gain increased attention from the Nigerian government. However, since PPP adoption in the country not all have attained expected outcomes. The purpose of this chapter is to explore PPP implementation practices and implications on contractual expectations of partner organisations. A qualitative approach using data collected from 23 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders involved in a Road Partnership and in a Transport Partnership in Nigeria was employed. Documentary evidence was also collected. The institutional nature of the PPP environment; bureaucratic practices in government institutions; disruptive actions of external actors and ineffective mitigation of project risks were main challenges faced in the implementation of the Road and Transport Partnerships. This study is based on the opinions and experiences of key stakeholders on PPP implementation practices in Nigeria, this is most appropriate to elicit data richness. Partner organizations involved in infrastructure PPPs have the obligation to ensure that they are effectively implemented. If partnerships are poorly implemented, there is no reason to expect that the partnership objectives will be achieved, and this is likely to have a negative impact on the collaborative nature of partnership working in fulfilling the contractual obligations. This study is imperative to provide an understanding of challenges inherent in achieving partnership implementation goals in a developing economy. Findings will inform practices within the PPP policy area in the Nigeria context.

When the institutional context thwarts public-private partnerships: The role of political factors in the failure of PPPs

“…Despite the promise of the PPP approach to enhance the efficiency and manage risks associated with mega-infrastructure projects, major PPP projects have not been universally successful (Ke et al, 2014). The PPP literature documents stories of high-level PPP projects that failed to complete (Alam et al, 2014), projects where issues of corruption and financial misconduct were identified (Okwilagwe, 2017), or where the terms of contract were re-negotiated (Chandoul and Gondard, 2019).…”

Understanding the Effects of Market Volatility on Profitability Perceptions of Housing Market Developers

“…To mitigate the uncertainties in financial projections, developers often rely on cost consultants, who possess a wealth of historical data derived from comparable projects (Betts 1991;Okwilagwe and Apostolakis 2017;Smyth 2005). These seasoned actors play a pivotal role in establishing parameters for prospective developments, offering a perceived higher degree of reliability in the estimation of forthcoming prices and costs (Wood and Ellis 2003).…”