application in construction projects
FEATURED PAPER
By Edidiong Livinus Etimi, Benedict Amade, PhDi, Gregory Chimere Enyinna, PhDi and Abdulqadir Kabir Muhammadii
i Federal University of Technology
Owerri, Nigeria
ii Department of Building
Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria
Abstract
This study is aimed at investigating the challenges of the application of Unmanned aerial vehicle’s based technologies to construction project monitoring in Akwa Ibom State. The main objective of the study was to identify the challenges bedeviling UAVs deployment on construction project monitoring in Akwa Ibom. The research utilized a qualitative descriptive cross-sectional design to gather and analyze data. Specifically, data was gathered from construction experts and responses to questionnaires. Senior project managers and project engineers employed by construction firms that utilize UAVs participated in this study. The results indicate that lack of policies, security concerns, and employee resistance to UAV adoption were the main challenges. As a result of these discoveries, suggestions are put forth. This study provides a fundamental resource for subsequent research endeavors on the utilization of UAV technologies. This outcome would enhance the collective comprehension of the challenges associated with the implementation of UAVs for construction monitoring in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria.
Keywords: Akwa Ibom State, Challenges, Construction project, Unmanned aerial vehicle.
1. Introduction
According to Ham et al. (2016), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are also known as unpiloted aerial vehicles or drones, have recently received so much interest in the engineering, architectural construction, and other operations business. UAVs are aircraft systems that operate without a human pilot onboard. Initially developed for military applications, UAVs have evolved significantly and are now utilized across various industries, including construction, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. In addition, according to Zainudin (2015), drones are compact, extremely agile, and able to fly both indoors and outdoors. UAVs are synonymous with drones, yet anything that doesn’t fly can’t be called a drone. According to Janssen (2015), drones are “aerial modulus” that can be managed by manned remote control or by a programmed flight route. From each of these definitions, we are able to determine that drones are unmanned aerial vehicles that can be controlled remotely.
Construction projects, in general, have an inherent requirement for consistent monitoring and assessment of their progress. Before these many years, construction monitoring was performed manually by site engineers, civil engineers, project managers, and site inspectors. This method is not only incredibly time-consuming, but it also involves a great deal of risk and presents a number of potential hazards. As a consequence of this, the development of cutting-edge UAV technologies evolved, which were designed to cushion and ease the monitoring of construction sites and project stages (Ram, 2020). With the above mentioned, his study will seek to identify the various types of UAVs and the extent of their deployment on construction project monitoring in Akwa Ibom state.
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How to cite this paper: Etim, E.L., Amade, B., Enyinna, G.C., Muhammad, A.K. (2025). An investigation of the challenges of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) application in construction projects; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue IX, September. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pmwj156-Sep2025-Etim-et-al-challenges-of-UAV-in-construction-projects.pdf
About the Authors
Edidiong Livinus Etim, B.Eng
Department of Project Management Technology
Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Edidiong Livinus Etim is a postgraduate student of Project Management Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. His Master’s research focuses on “Investigating the Challenges to Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Technologies to Construction Project Monitoring.” He currently serves as an engineer in the local government civil service, with professional interests in construction technology, infrastructure supervision, and innovation in public sector project delivery. He can be contacted at edidiongetim@gmail.com
Benedict Amade, PhD
Federal University of Technology
Owerri, Nigeria
Dr. Benedict Amade is a Chartered Project Manager by Profession and a Probationer (Member) of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). He read and obtained a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree in Project Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) U.S.A. and presently the Deputy Director, Centre for Research Innovation and Development (CRID) and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Project Management Technology of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria where he has been lecturing for the past 15 years. His areas of research interest include construction project management, computer-based project management, construction supply chain management and information technology on construction projects. He has authored over 60 scientific publications in international refereed journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, Scimago etc. He has presented quality papers at international conferences both home and abroad. He is actively involved in other consultancy works. He can be reached at https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3368-5432; benedictamade@yahoo.com; benedictamade@futo.edu.ng; benedictamade2@gmail.com.
Gregory Chimere Enyinna, PhD
Federal University of Technology
Owerri, Nigeria
Dr. Gregory Chimere Enyinna is an Associate Professor at the Department of Project Management Technology, and Currently the Head of Department, Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He studied B.Sc in Geography and Planning and an M.Sc in Environmental Management from Abia State University. He studied his PhD in Germany. He is a Fellow of Institute of Management Consulting and the Institute of Policy Management Developers. He is a Resource Person at the World Bank Centre of Excellence in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
He can be reached at pycongregco@gmail.com
Abdulqadir Kabir Muhammad, B.Tech, M.Sc
Department of Building
Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria.
Abdulqadir Kabir Muhammad was a postgraduate student of the Department of Project Management Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. His Bachelor’s degree was at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (ATBU) Bauchi, Nigeria and Master’s degree in Project Management Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He currently serves a Lecture in the Department of Building at the Federal University of Lafia, with professional interests in construction technology, Building information modeling and public sector construction project and estate delivery. He can be reached on: abdulqadirmk111@gmail.com.
