By Christian Ogbonna
The Nigerian Institution of Builders in Facilities Management (NIBIFM) has urged structural engineers, construction consultants, architects, and quantity surveyors to work collectively on construction projects to curb the persistent problem of building collapse in the country.
At the Fourth Facilities Managers (FM) Conference in Abakaliki on Tuesday, Mr Akpatre Ndaw, National Chairman of NIBIFM, emphasised the importance of engaging qualified professionals and strictly adhering to building codes and standards.
The 2025 conference, themed “The Evolution of Facilities Management in Nigeria: Stakeholders’ Role,” aimed to raise public awareness about proper facilities management and maintenance.
“To end building collapse, we must avoid the use of unqualified contractors and substandard materials,” Ndaw advised.
He stressed that structures required regular management and maintenance to ensure longevity.
Ndaw highlighted that the facilities management sector in Nigeria had evolved significantly, driven by urbanisation, technological advancements, and changing workplace dynamics.
He projected that the Nigerian FM market would grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 per cent from 2020 to 2025, increasing in size from ₦700 billion in 2020 to ₦1.3 trillion by 2025.
“The industry is increasingly adopting advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to boost operational efficiency.
“Currently, 75 per cent of Nigerian organisations plan to invest in FM technology,” Ndaw said.
He added that the government, professional bodies, and facilities managers play crucial roles in fostering a supportive environment through policies, regulations, and infrastructure development.
Also speaking, Mr Alderton Ewan, President of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), described the conference theme as timely and critical for Nigeria’s built environment.
“In the past two decades, Facility Management in Nigeria has grown from an emerging discipline to a vital part of the lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure,” Ewan noted.
He urged all stakeholders, including the government and regulatory authorities, to act decisively and collaboratively to drive a Facility Management revolution in Nigeria.
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