Why Nigerian Buildings Must Get Mandatory Maintenance – Fashola
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has urged Nigeria to pass legislation making facility management and maintenance compulsory for all public and private buildings, warning that neglect of infrastructure could undermine sustainability.
Delivering the keynote at the IFMA Global Africa Conference 2025 in Lagos, Fashola argued that proper maintenance is central to job creation, climate change adaptation and efficient resource use.
According to him, construction employs only about 30 per cent of professionals in the built environment, while over 70 per cent secure long-term jobs through facility operation and maintenance.
“That is where the jobs are,” he said. “We must move away from unsustainable empowerment models such as motorcycles and tricycles, which worsen carbon emissions, and instead channel resources into facility management as a viable and enduring alternative.”
He stressed that budgets for infrastructure should extend beyond construction to cover maintenance contracts for schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, water systems and government offices. With the rise of “smart buildings” equipped with sensor technology, he said, Nigeria needs a skilled facility management workforce. “Sustainability is not a buzzword. It is a global requirement embedded in policy, financing and credit. Nigeria must pay attention if we are to prepare for rapid urban growth.”
IFMA Worldwide President/CEO, Michael Geary, echoed this, saying: “The future of facility management is inextricably linked to sustainability, and nowhere is this more vital than in Africa. By enabling sustainable FM practices, we are not just optimising buildings — we are building a more prosperous and sustainable future for communities across Africa and setting a global standard for what is possible.”
IFMA Nigeria Chapter President, Engr Sherif Daramola, described the conference as the realisation of a 27-year-old dream of its founding members. He said the event, which drew policymakers, innovators and students, would reposition Africa’s built environment.
Global Chair of IFMA, Christa Dodoo, commended Nigeria and Ghana for professionalising the sector, noting Nigeria’s membership had grown by 200 per cent. She warned that Africa must prepare for an unprecedented wave of urbanisation, with Lagos projected to reach 100 million residents by 2100.
“A skilled workforce must operate and maintain these facilities, holding them to the highest standards of efficiency, safety and functionality. This opens great potential for FM, but also makes it a huge asset for Africa’s economy and future,” she said.
The two-day event, themed “Enabling Sustainable Facility Management Practice in Africa,” featured sessions on circular economy, technology, artificial intelligence and public infrastructure.
Delegates also toured Sterling Towers, the Marina-Iganmu rail line, and the JK Randle Centre.
