The Nigerian Institute of Builders in Facility Management (NIBIFM) has called for continuous capacity development to bridge skills gaps among practitioners and promote standardisation in the facility management sector.

Speaking at a workshop on Facilities Management and Maintenance Repairs, themed “FM01 Series Four”, organised by NIBIFM in Lagos, the institute’s National Chairman, Akpatre Ndaw, emphasised the need to strengthen maintenance culture in buildings and national assets across the country.

Ndaw, who is also President of the Nigerian Academy of Facility Management, said the workshop was designed to address deficiencies in maintenance practices and maximise the lifespan of infrastructure.

He said the institute was upgrading practitioners’ skills to keep pace with emerging trends in the profession, noting that many buildings deteriorate rapidly after construction and commissioning, despite being designed to serve for decades.

The NIBIFM chairman said effective maintenance practices and adequate funding were essential to developing the sector, noting that many facilities were not routinely maintained due to budgetary constraints and delays in releasing approved funds.

He urged organisations to engage trained professionals and prioritise preventive maintenance to ensure buildings and other facilities remain functional and serve their intended purposes throughout their lifespans.

Ndaw disclosed that about 46 professionals were trained in critical areas, including asset lifecycle management, space management and its economic value, facility management technologies, standardisation, sustainability, and health and safety.

The workshop coordinator, Sanwo Kehinde, said facility management practitioners needed to continuously upgrade their skills to improve competence and align their services with global best practices.

Kehinde noted that technological advancements were transforming the construction industry and making facility management more efficient. He urged practitioners to acquire relevant skills and expertise to improve service delivery to clients and the sector.

Speaking on health and safety in facility management, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Ogun State Chapter, Adedayo Ogunsola, said safety was a shared responsibility among property owners, end-users, visitors and facility management practitioners.

He stressed the need for proper planning and implementation of safety measures, particularly fire prevention and emergency evacuation procedures, to protect building occupants. Ogunsola said prioritising health and safety in commercial and residential facilities could reduce long-term costs, improve performance and help organisations comply with relevant regulations.