Comparative Cost Advantages of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block and Sandcrete Block for Building Construction in South-West Nigeria

Interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSBS) is undoubtedly one of the contemporary building materials used for building construction works in developing countries. The ISSBs is gaining fast recognition as frontline alternative to Sandcrete blocks for affordable housing development in Nigeria. However, despite the positive reports of United Nations upholding ISSB as an affordable building material for low cost housing in developing African nations, the patronage of ISSBs is low-slung when compared to the conventional Sandcrete blocks (SBs). This study explored the comparative cost advantages of Interlocking stabilized soil blocks and Sandcrete blocks for building construction in Southwestern Nigeria with the view of promoting it’s usage for affordable housing development. The objectives were; to identify the most common types of Interlocking stabilised soil blocks and Sandcrete blocks used for building construction works in southwestern Nigeria; to analyze the cost of ISSBS for building walling system; to compare the cost of building walling systems with Interlocking stabilized soil blocks and Sandcrete blocks in Southwestern Nigeria. Existing literature on the use of Interlocking stabilised soil blocks (ISSBs) were reviewed. Using qualitative research approaches where Interviews and documentaries was phenomenal; the cost comparativeness of ISSBs and SBs in this study was analyzed using Empirical data’s obtained from local construction markets and ISSBs promoters. Findings revealed the cost of ISSBs is relatively cheaper than Sandcrete blocks due to the mortar-less walling systems; the eradication of wall rendering and drastic reduction in the use of cement, concrete, reinforcement and industrial materials. The study recommended that more agencies should be established. Promoters of ISSBs should invests heavily on awareness and sensitization of the populace on the significance of adoption ISSBs for building construction