Abstract
Despite Nigeria's abundant forest resources and the long-established use of timber in traditional architecture, residential construction across the country continues to rely almost entirely on cement-based systems. This study assessed the extent, causes, and consequences of the underutilisation of timber as a structural building material in Nigerian residential construction, and evaluated its potential as a technically and economically viable alternative. The research adopted a qualitative and descriptive approach using an extensive review of academic literature, professional reports, and policy documents. Findings revealed that timber possesses demonstrated structural adequacy for low-rise residential buildings, superior thermal performance in tropical climates, and significantly lower embodied energy compared to reinforced concrete. However, its adoption is constrained by cultural perception, regulatory bias toward concrete, inadequate timber treatment infrastructure, deforestation concerns, and the absence of standardised design codes for timber structures in Nigeria. The study recommends policy reform to formally recognise structural timber in Nigerian building regulations, investment in sustainable forestry and timber processing, and integration of timber design into architectural and engineering curricula.