The Association of Facilities Management Practitioners in Nigeria, led by President Paul Erubami, is raising alarms over the staggering issue of over 500,000 untrained building managers in the nation who are incurring significant losses for organizations. During a workshop hosted by the Nigerian Institution of Builders on Facilities Management Maintenance Repairs, Erubami emphasized the prevalence of individuals tasked with managing facilities but lacking the essential skills necessary for effective oversight. These individuals, often dubbed administrative or maintenance supervisors, primarily engage in reactive repairs rather than proactive, strategic management, which results in a substantial devaluation of the facility management sector as a whole.
The economic implications of this lack of training are profound, according to Erubami. With untrained personnel at the helm of facility management, organizations suffer financial drain stemming from energy inefficiencies, improper maintenance contracts, and inadequate service level agreements. The absence of professional facility managers leads to organizations paying substantial amounts for services that do not meet standards, thereby diminishing returns on their investments. This environment cultivates poor accountability, and there are cases of unethical practices where individuals are compensated for uncompleted or inadequate work, compounding the financial strain on organizations and limiting profitability.
In his remarks, Erubami highlighted the critical need for training and professional development within the facility management sector. The existing workforce, lacking foundational skills and current knowledge, hinders operational efficiency and exposes organizations to heightened risks and losses. The call for upskilling is not merely beneficial; it is essential for reversing the trend of financial hemorrhage that many organizations face in Nigeria. By investing in training programs for facility managers, businesses could mitigate risks associated with mismanagement and subsequently improve their financial performance and operational integrity.
Dr. Olufemi Akinsola, a leading figure in the Department of Building Technology at Yaba College of Technology, underscored the direct consequences of insufficient facility management through the prevalence of building collapses in Nigeria. He cited a recent incident in Orile, attributing the disaster to negligence in maintenance and management practices. Akinsola’s observations reveal that proactive and regular maintenance could have preserved the structural integrity of facilities. Drawing a comparison to mission buildings, which tend to receive more consistent upkeep due to dedicated committees and funding, he illustrated a critical gap in the management of public infrastructures, which often lack the same level of attention and care.
The workshop, which marked its sixth edition, has successfully trained over 1,500 individuals in the fundamentals of facility management. This initiative reflects a burgeoning recognition in Nigeria of the significance of investing in professionalizing the field of facilities management. As it stands, many facilities are being managed without the requisite skills and knowledge, leading to deteriorating conditions and financial losses for organizations. The training provided in workshops like this is vital for building a competent workforce that can adequately address the myriad challenges faced by facilities in a rapidly developing country.
In summary, the current landscape of facility management in Nigeria, characterized by a large population of untrained managers, presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The Association of Facilities Management Practitioners, along with academic leaders like Dr. Akinsola, are advocating for systemic changes through training and professional development to curtail the financial losses experienced by organizations. Enhanced accountability, ethical practices, and ongoing education for facility managers are paramount to reversing the decline in operational standards within the industry and ensuring the sustainability of facilities across the nation. The emphasis on proactive maintenance and trained management practices could serve as a critical turning point for improving the overall health of Nigeria’s building infrastructure.
