Facility managers set for standard practice, regulatory body

A new professional group has been formed in Nigeria, which will harmonise and regulate activities of individuals and different professional bodies practising facility management (FM).

The new body known as ‘Institute of Facility Management Nigeria”, would be the voice of the Nigerian FM industry through advocacy, as well as stand as the reference point for everything facility management in the country.

Objectives of the body will also include; to influence government policies related to infrastructure design, development and management, support professional development of members of all cadres, conduct surveys and research projects for reliable industry data and become the source and validator for all industry data and information.

Facility management industry in the country has existed for over 20 years, yet, there has not been any visible sign of it, in the national economy while existing members of the profession have overtime, fragmented into small group rather than a unified platform that could forge a common front.

Sequel to the above, stakeholders in the sector gathered at a Forum in Lagos to fashion out way forward, set up a steering committee that will drive the new initiative, fix date for its first general assembly and the possible launch of the new national body, among other steps.

Speaking at the occasion, a member of the steering committee for FM Nigeria, Stephen Jagun explained that the purpose of the association will be to provide a national platform for the promotion and continuous development of facility management in Nigeria.

The institute will also drive the contribution of FM to national development through leveraging international partnerships, standards and best practices in the development of relevant local standards.

“Every other profession in Nigeria has a professional body and a regulatory body, we do not have any of these. Our intention is not to scrap International Facility Management Association (IFMA), or British Institute of Facilities Management, Nigeria (BIFM), our intention is for us to relate with the body for certifications and support in standard development. IFMA has a robust certification programme that we can adopt as a nation, while BIFM is strong in standards”, he stated.

Contributing, the Chief Executive Officer of Maxigold Paul Erubami, said the institute will represent the interest of all professional facility managers and companies practicing in the industry while its membership shall be open to all individuals and organisations who subscribe and ascribe to the purpose, mission, vision, objectives and its code of ethics.

IFMA President, Nigeria Chapter, Pius Iwundu surmised that facility management is the fastest growing industry in the world, hence the need for practitioners to speak with one voice and work toward enthroning the rules of best practices, integrity, and respect.

On her part, President, BIFM, Mrs. Wale Odufalu, there was the need for continuous engagement by practitioners on how to move the industry forward. She counseled that the institute must adopt the approach of attracting membership rather than compelling them.

Meanwhile, Collins Osayamwen, MKO Balogun, Olumide Aina, Paul Erubami, Stephen Jagun, Pius Iwundu, Timi Obaseki, Iyabo Aboaba, Femi Akintunde, Donald George, and Tolu Oyesanya amongst others, have been nominated as members of the steering committee to drive the Facility Management initiative.