Picture this: You’re managing a major infrastructure project in Lagos. Your government sponsor is pushing for an accelerated timeline before their tenure ends, the local community demands more jobs, environmental groups are raising concerns about ecological impact, and the infamous Landlords of Lagos (Omo Onile) are asserting their claims. If you’re a project manager in Nigeria, this scenario might sound all too familiar.
According to PMI, poor stakeholder management is one of the top three causes of project failure. However, with the right strategies, you can successfully navigate these challenges and balance conflicting interests to deliver a successful project.
The success of any project begins with understanding its stakeholders. This requires developing a stakeholder map—a visual tool that helps identify relationships and influence levels. For a typical Nigerian construction project, your map might include government officials, community leaders, funding partners, environmental groups, suppliers, contractors, and, yes, even Omo Onile representatives.
A study by Węgrzyn and Wojewnik-Filipkowska (2022) categorized stakeholders into four groups. Tailoring your engagement strategy to these categories can help manage expectations more effectively:
For example, a government sponsor categorized as a “mixed blessing” stakeholder might push for an accelerated timeline, risking quality or safety. A project manager can collaborate closely, providing transparent progress reports and joint problem-solving sessions to balance speed with quality.
Similarly, engaging with the local community—a potentially “non-supportive” stakeholder—requires organizing town hall meetings and involving representatives in monitoring environmental safeguards. This proactive approach builds trust and mitigates resistance.
Clear and transparent communication fosters trust and ensures all stakeholders remain aligned. A great example is the Eko Atlantic City project, where regular town hall meetings and progress updates kept all parties informed.
By adopting these strategies, you demonstrate transparency, build trust, and maintain stakeholder confidence.
Not all demands can be met—and that’s okay. Using a priority matrix can help assess the urgency and importance of each request. Prioritize long-term project benefits over short-term inconveniences. For example:
When stakeholders see their concerns tied to the project’s larger vision, they’re more likely to support the overall goals. Creating a project vision board can visually reinforce these priorities, showing how each interest contributes to success.
In Nigeria, personal relationships play a pivotal role in resolving conflicts. When tensions arise, approach them with empathy and understanding. A shared meal or informal meeting can go a long way in fostering goodwill.
For instance, in the Lekki Free Trade Zone project, informal dialogue with community leaders helped address tensions, reinforcing trust and collaboration.
As a project manager, tough decisions are inevitable. Whether it’s rejecting an unrealistic timeline or prioritizing environmental safeguards, stand by your choices with confidence. Document your decision-making process to maintain transparency and accountability.
Balancing conflicting stakeholder interests in Nigeria’s dynamic project landscape requires strategic communication, empathy, and a focus on long-term goals. By categorizing stakeholders, tailoring engagement strategies, and maintaining transparency, you can align diverse interests and deliver successful projects.
Remember, the key lies in understanding stakeholder dynamics, prioritizing effectively, and building strong relationships through clear communication. With these strategies, you’re equipped to tackle even the most complex challenges.
Sign up for our Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management Program to master stakeholder management and ensure project success.
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