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A B S T R A C T

This paper examined the causes of project failure in both private and public sectors in Ondo State, Nigeria. This was\ with a view to making recommendations for improved project handling in the study area. The surviving public and private projects in Akure are not many due to the economic crunch in the Country. This indicator makes the
researcher selected about two hundred projects both public and private as the research population. Seventy copies of questionnaire were administered to project stakeholders like clients, government contractors, builders, private contractors, consultants, civil engineers, architects and project managers that have practiced for a minimum of ten
years. Fifty-five copies (78.6%) of questionnaire were returned and analysed. The analysis utilized the Relative Importance Index (R.I.I) method and the results were presented in form of frequency table and percentages. The study recommended that failure to retain experienced workers, inadequate supply of resources required for project execution, estimates for cost and schedule that are erroneous, corruption, political inference and indolence of workers/contractors were among of the major causes of project failure in the study area. The study concluded that the above causes of project handling be addressed to improve projects execution in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.