Dr Abba Mahmud
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in Construction Site Management in the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying. I am also a Fellow with the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and an Incorporate member with the Chartered Institute of Building (ICIOB), UK.
I hold a PhD in Construction from Heriot Watt University (HWU), UK having obtained an MSc in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from the same University and Masters in Facilities Management from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. I completed my BSc in Building in Nigeria where I also worked in the construction industry for more than 5 years as a Site Manager and Project Manager on various public and private sector projects and then taught as a Lecturer in the Nigerian higher education sector. Prior to my current role, I worked as a part-time lecturer teaching construction management related courses at Heriot Watt University, UK for over 3 years.
My PhD titled as “Enhancing the Understanding of Cost Overrun Drivers in Highway Projects in Nigeria through System Dynamics Modelling” focused on addressing the challenges of cost overruns in highway projects in Nigeria by developing a theoretical and practical system dynamics model. I continue to remain active within the research area. Besides teaching and research, I am also a member of the editorial review panel of the Journal of Construction Business and Management (JCBM), Journal of Engineering Design and Technology (JEDT), Transport Policy, and Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management (ECAM).
Research interests
My research interest is in the areas of performance of construction projects (cost and time overruns), affordable housing provision (including ethical issues), sustainable construction, health and safety issues in construction and embedding the philosophy of systems thinking in understanding and addressing complex construction problems.
Teaching responsibilities
I teach both undergraduate and postgraduate students across multiple courses, including Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering and Construction Project Management and Construction Management. My main teaching activities focus on Safety Management on Site, Construction Health and Safety, and Tools and Techniques of Project Management.
Research outputs
2025
Exploring the potential of virtual reality in cross-border construction projects: a case study of Qatar-India collaboration
Manege, S. L., Aravindakshan, A. K., Mahmud, A. T., Kiwia, N.
3 Sep 2025,
Research output: Conference contribution
Qualitative system dynamics approach to modelling cost escalation determinants in Nigerian public sector projects
Mahmud, A. T., Ahmed, S. N., Olanipekun, A. O., Aha, B., Akoh, S. R.
9 Apr 2025, In: Journal of Facilities Management
Research output: Article
2024
Exploring IPD as an antidote to fragmentation within the UK construction sector
Ahmed, S., Mahmud, A. T., Akoh, S., Tariq, U.
4 Sep 2024,
Research output: Conference contribution
Development of procedural framework for 6R implementation in construction waste management
Min, J. C. S., Thing, H. W., Jing, C. Y., Mahmud, A. T., Fateh, M. A. M.
29 Jul 2024, In: Planning Malaysia. 22, 3, p. 470-485, 16p.
Research output: Article
Exploring the key risk factors impeding the performance of highway construction projects: an evidence from Nigeria
Akoh, S. R., Sun, M., Ogunlana, S., Mahmud, A. T.
27 May 2024, In: Journal of Facilities Management
Research output: Article
2023
Adopting qualitative data in conceptual system dynamic modelling: a focus on road infrastructure projects in Nigeria
Mahmud, A. T., Ogunlana, S. O., Hong, W. T., Wuni, I. Y., Akoh, S. R.
21 Dec 2023, In: Construction Economics and Building. 23, 3-4, p. 71-86, 16p.
Research output: Article
2022
Critical risk factors in the application of modular integrated construction: a systematic review
Wuni, I. Y., Shen, G. Q. P., Mahmud, A. T.
1 Apr 2022, In: International Journal of Construction Management. 22, 2, p. 133-147, 2
Research output: Article
Understanding the dynamics of cost overrun triggers in highway infrastructure projects in Nigeria: a systems thinking modelling approach
Mahmud, A. T., Ogunlana, S., Hong, W. T.
18 Feb 2022, In: Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction. 27, 1, p. 29-56
Research output: Article
2021
Key driving factors of cost overrun in highway infrastructure projects in Nigeria: a context-based perspective
Mahmud, A. T., Ogunlana, S., Hong, W.
15 Nov 2021, In: Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology. 19, 6, p. 1530-1555
Research output: Article
2020
Understanding the driving factors of cost overrun in highway projects in Nigeria: a systems thinking approach
Mahmud, A. T., Ogunlana, S., Hong, W.
12 Nov 2020,
Research output: Conference contribution