Persistent challenges such as building failures, project delays, cost overruns, and abandoned projects in public university building projects have underscored the need for research into the factors that can mitigate these issues. This study primarily aims to evaluate the effect of beneficiaries of frugal practices (clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and end-users) on the delivery of these projects in Lagos, Ogun, and Osun States. Adopting a cross-sectional survey research design, primary data were collected using structured questionnaires from construction professionals in public universities across Lagos, Ondo, and Osun States in Southwest Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, beginning with the purposive selection of states and universities, followed by stratified random sampling of 251 respondents from a population of 708 professionals. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to explore the relationships between variables. The findings reveal that stakeholders benefit in varying degrees from frugal practices. Especially, clients and contractors benefit positively from frugal practices while significantly suppliers and end users are not negatively imparted by the practice. End users and suppliers notably impact project delivery outcomes, particularly in cost performance, satisfaction levels, and adherence to timelines. Frugal practice exhibited the most substantial negative impact on end users, emphasizing the necessity of their involvement and satisfaction in project planning and execution. The study recommends that project managers and policymakers prioritize the active involvement of end users and maintain robust supplier relationships to enhance project performance.
Keywords: Public Universities, building project delivery, frugal practices, infrastructure development, stakeholder involvement
