Facility management challenged by policy gaps, others – CORBON

The Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, Samson Opaluwah, has decried policy gaps, skill gaps, and lack of standardisation in the facility management sector.

Delivering the keynote address titled ‘Facilities Management – Breaking Barriers, Empowering Equality: A Journey Towards Professional Practice Excellence’ at the investiture ceremony of Akpatre Ndaw as the 2nd National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Builders in Facilities Management, Opaluwah emphasised that facility management remained underappreciated and often misunderstood, despite its strategic importance in national development.

He said, “The world is changing rapidly, and the facilities management industry is no exception. We are witnessing a lot of technological advancements, evolving workplace cultures, and a growing demand for sustainability.”

Highlighting the current gaps in the industry, he described facility management in Nigeria as still being in its infancy stage, hampered by a lack of skilled professionals, limited awareness, resistance to technological change, and inadequate policy support.

“One of the biggest challenges facility management faces is the lack of visibility and perceived lack of prestige. Many organisations view facilities managers as mere ‘maintenance personnel’ rather than strategic leaders who contribute to business success,” he said.

Opaluwah called for a national framework to standardise facility management practice, saying, “Unlike traditional professions, facility management lacks universally recognised qualifications and accreditation systems.

To elevate facility management into a recognised profession, we must advocate for internationally accepted certification programmes.”

Calling on stakeholders to support legislative reforms, Opaluwah noted that the bill for regulation of facilities management practice in Nigeria was currently at the National Assembly.

He added. All well-placed practitioners and individuals are enjoined to support the bill, as this will not only enhance the practice but also provide a regulatory framework for standards”.

“I envision a future where facility management operations would be fully digital and autonomous. An equipment/installation will communicate their functional status and service requests online with the supply chain software triggering a procurement process. The function of the facility manager will then become that of programming and remote monitoring.”

While recognising the role of innovation and AI, Opaluwah insisted that education and mentorship must be prioritised.

He explained, “Empowering equality in facility management means ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to education and career growth opportunities.

“Whether you are a facilities manager, industry leader, investor or policymaker, you have the power to make a difference. Let us work together to shape the future of facility management, one that is inclusive, innovative, and professional.”