Prevent Collapse, Save Lives — Fashola Pushes For Mandatory Property Maintenance

Fashola Urges Law to Mandate Facility Management for Nigerian Buildings

Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has advocated for legislation that would make facility management and maintenance compulsory for all public and private buildings across Nigeria. He warned that without institutionalising these practices, the country risks undermining the sustainability of its infrastructure.

Delivering the keynote address at the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Global Africa Conference 2025 held in Lagos, Fashola emphasised that sustainable facility management is not just about buildings, but also about job creation, climate adaptation, and the effective use of public resources—according to iReporter Online.

He noted that while the construction phase of infrastructure projects provides short-term employment for about 30% of professionals in the industry, over 70% of long-term job opportunities come from the ongoing operation and maintenance of facilities.

“That is where the jobs are,” Fashola stated. “We must shift from unsustainable empowerment models like distributing motorcycles and tricycles—which worsen emissions—and instead invest in facility management as a durable, growth-driven alternative.”

Fashola argued that infrastructure budgeting must move beyond construction alone to include long-term maintenance contracts for public assets such as roads, schools, hospitals, bridges, and water systems.

Highlighting the growing prevalence of smart buildings with sensor-driven systems for lighting, heating, and water, the former minister stressed that this evolution requires a skilled and responsive workforce to manage them.

“Sustainability is not a slogan; it is now globally embedded in policies, funding structures, and credit assessments. Nigeria must prepare for rapid urban growth if we hope to remain competitive,” he said—according to iReporter Online.

IFMA Worldwide President/CEO Michael Geary supported this vision, noting that facility management’s future is tightly linked with sustainability—especially in Africa.

“Africa’s rapid growth offers a rare opportunity to develop infrastructure that is efficient, resilient, and socially responsible,” said Geary. “Enabling sustainable FM practices means we’re not just managing buildings—we’re shaping a stronger, greener future for the continent.”

IFMA Nigeria Chapter President Engr. Sherif Daramola called the conference—the first of its kind in Nigeria—the fulfilment of a 27-year-old dream by the association’s founding members. He praised the gathering for bringing together industry leaders, innovators, students, and policymakers to elevate the future of Africa’s built environment.

Global Chair of IFMA, Christa Dodoo, applauded the Nigerian and Ghanaian chapters for their contributions to advancing FM professionalism in Africa, revealing that Nigeria’s IFMA membership had recently grown by 200%, according to iReporter Online.

Dodoo warned of a fast-approaching urbanisation wave, with Lagos projected to become the world’s largest city by 2100, housing an estimated 100 million people.

“We will need a highly trained workforce to manage and maintain infrastructure with the highest levels of safety, efficiency and innovation. Facility management is poised to become a major economic engine for Africa,” she added.

As part of the event, stakeholders in the public and private sectors participated in a C-suite roundtable exploring how the Circular Economy can drive sustainable development through facility management.

The two-day event, themed “Enabling Sustainable Facility Management Practice in Africa,” featured technical sessions on AI, Circular Economy, Sustainable Technology, Innovative Solutions, and Public Infrastructure Management, with speakers from around the globe.

The conference concluded with immersive experiences, including a Facility Management tour of the solar-panel-wrapped Sterling Towers, a scenic train ride from Marina Station to the National Arts Theatre, and a cultural visit to the JK Randle Centre in Lagos.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”