Abstract Sustainability and project management are interconnected concepts that are crucial in today's world. The Nigerian construction industry faces sustainability challenges such as poor project performance, low quality, high costs, waste generation, environmental degradation, and social conflicts. These issues compromise the industry's ability to support sustainable development. This research investigates the prospects, challenges, and benefits of adopting sustainable project management techniques in Lagos State, Nigeria, using resource optimization and rework reduction measures. The research involved a cross-sectional survey of 232 staff members from selected companies, with a sample size of 172. The study used covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) to evaluate complex relationships among variables. Path analysis was conducted and revealed a strong positive relationship between the variables tested. The study reveals that resource optimisation and rework reduction are positively related to economic, social, and environmental sustainability, suggesting that optimizing resources and reducing reworks can lead to better social and environmental outcomes for construction companies. This study reveals that sustainable project management practices positively impact the performance of construction companies in Lagos State, Nigeria, in terms of social and environmental outcomes. The study suggests that these practices are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. The study recommended, among others, that the government should promote sustainable construction by providing incentives, regulations, and guidelines and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to exchange knowledge and best practices.