General
Built Environment: Facility Managers Calls for Synergy
As professionals in the Nigerian built environment converged in Lagos to mark this year’s ‘World Facility Management Day’, facility managers and other stakeholders have called for synergy among players in the sector towards achieving an excellent built environment.
As professionals in the built environment continue to change the narratives towards sustainable progress in strategic collaboration with public institutions for a better operating environment for facility management (FM) in Nigeria; stakeholders are of the view that better synergy among players in the sector will deepen FM. The event which took place at the University of Lagos had the theme- “Celebrating FM: Standing tall beyond the Pandemic” drew participants from academic, political and social Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders nationwide, at the celebration, the President of the International Facility Management Association, Nigerian Chapter, Mr Segun Adebayo said the event in line with the global practice seeks to recognize and celebrate the vital work that facility managers across the world have contributed to different industries during the pandemic and even now that we are gradually winning the war against COVID-19.
He states further that IFMA will continue to map out critical paths towards a better operating environment, as members are determined to achieve a sustainable and forward-thinking industry through capacity building, knowledge development and research.
According to him “For us in IFMA, Nigeria Chapter, we are celebrating the day with a strong sense of commitment towards improved health and safety in the built environment, effective activation of business continuity and emergency preparedness. While we will continue to map out our critical path towards a better operating environment, we are also determined to achieve a sustainable and forward-thinking industry through capacity building, knowledge development, research and development.”
The President noted that between the last celebration and now, the body has been able to deepen its advocacy commitment through its knowledge-sharing session series.
“In line with our renewed purpose as a pioneer and foremost professional Association in Facility Management with global affiliation and in commemoration of 2021 World FM day, we shall be formally commencing our Mentorship Development Initiative (MDI) with twenty-four mentees from different background today.”
“In line with IFMA renewed purpose as a pioneer and foremost professional association in Facility Management with global affiliation, Adebayo posits that, “We will also be collaborating with one of the Lagos State Public Institution on a program tagged “A Day with Artisans ‘scheduled to hold by the early part of 3rd quarter. This and many more we shall explore for a better-built environment,” he stated.
Shina Atilola, the head of retail and consumer banking at Sterling Bank and Keynote Speaker, said digitization and COVID-19 fast-tracked the need for players in the built environment to capitalize on the emerging environment.
According to him, the pandemic provided an opportunity to change the narrative, hence FM professionals must be proactive. In order words, he states that FM professionals must leverage robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) for better outcomes.
In his speech, the special guest of honour, Architect David Lola Majekodunmi, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos chapter, advised Facility Management practitioners to create a trust fund and invest more in research towards encouraging young Nigerians to be a part of Facility Management. He also urged all professionals within the built environment to collaborate effectively with facility managers and get them involved from the predesign stage of Construction.
Arch. Majekodunmi said local content should be embraced by players in Facility Management and the built environment in Nigeria. He equally called for collaboration with other professional associations in the built environment.
In his words, “we are trying to make good rules for Lagos State, in terms of physical planning and urban development, we succeeded in changing or reviewing the law, in 2010. However, there was a new physical planning law, but as I stand here today I can say there are over 5000 laws in Lagos State and Zero enforcement.
The Chairman also expressed disappointment about the National Building code which has been drafted thirty-six years ago but has not been approved to date.
During the panel session, Nike Adekanbi, the General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructural Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA), noted that FM professionals and others were frontline workers during the pandemic. According to her, proper maintenance sustains the life span of facilities.
As said by Professor Modupe Omirin, Head of Department, Estate Management, University of Lagos, there is every need for facility managers to be seriously proactive to ensure facilities are properly adaptable.
Engineer Felix Elerunndu, the chief engineer of Park Inn by Radisson while sharing his experience from the hospitality perspective of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy of facility management, said players in the sector had to look inward to stay afloat during the pandemic.
The event was rounded off with the selection of Mentees from Lagos State Technical Schools, 500 level Estate Management students and Masters in Facility Management students from the University of Lagos, and artisans. It is expected that these mentees will be trained and have a first-hand understanding of facility management from their mentors who have excelled professionally.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has pledged its commitment to provide the regulatory leadership, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement required to successfully develop and implement a robust National Action Plan on maritime decarbonization in Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Mr Dayo Mobereola, made this known during the National Stakeholders’ workshop on the development of a National Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan, further describing the workshop as a critical step in actualising the Federal Government’s blue economy and climate objectives.
Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Mr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the NIMASA DG underscored the significance of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, a technical cooperation initiative /designed to support developing countries in implementing the IMO GHG Strategy.
According to him, the National Action Plan being developed will reflect national realities, leverage existing capacities, address identified gaps, and align with broader economic and environmental priorities of the federal government.
Mr Mobereola stressed that “this transition is not merely about compliance with international obligations, it is about safeguarding our marine environment, protecting public health, strengthening the blue economy, and ensuring that our maritime industry remains competitive and future-ready”, the DG said.
Also speaking at the event was the Technical Manager of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, Ms Astrid Dispert, who highlighted that the overarching objective of the initiative is to advance a coherent and globally aligned regulatory framework to accelerate maritime decarbonization.
She also emphasised that NIMASA plays a pivotal role in driving the project at the national level.
The IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project provides technical expertise and institutional support to assist countries in developing and implementing National Action Plans that promote sustainable shipping practices, encourage investment in clean technologies, and strengthen capacity for long-term emissions reduction.
Through this collaboration, the federal government is advancing deliberate steps towards maritime decarbonization, reinforcing its commitment to global climate goals and ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the sector.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with its digital submission process effective March 1.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Director-General of the Bureau, Mr Adebowale Adedokun, noting that the move was part of the bureau’s commitment to digital transformation and paperless governance.
It explained that the transition followed an earlier circular of Aug. 4, 2025, which introduced electronic submission procedures.
According to the bureau, it has successfully moved from physical filings to a dedicated e-mail service for document submissions and is now advancing to a more robust and integrated system.
The circular announced the inauguration of the BPP Digital Submission Portal, a web-based platform designed to enable MDAs submit procurement-related documents directly to the Bureau.
It stated that the automated platform would streamline the submission process, enhance transparency and ensure accelerated tracking of procurement-related documents and petitions.
“With effect from March 1, all MDAs will be required to use the portal to submit requests for ‘No Objection’ Certificates, approvals for ‘No Objection’ for special procurements, clarifications and status updates on submissions,” the bureau said.
It added that the portal would be hosted on the Bureau’s official website and would become fully operational from the effective date.
The bureau warned that physical submissions or manual hand-deliveries would no longer be prioritised and would eventually be rejected following the full transition to the digital platform.
It urged accounting officers to brief their procurement departments and ICT units on the development to ensure seamless processing of procurement activities from March 1.
It further advised MDAs to contact the Bureau via its official email for information on the onboarding process and integration into the portal.
The bureau emphasised that full compliance by all MDAs was required to ensure a smooth transition and avoid delays in the implementation of the 2026 fiscal year procurement processes.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, from office.
The Senate Committee on Finance, while passing a resolution in Abuja on Thursday, accused Mr Magaji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), of failing to honour the Senate’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.
“He refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.
“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.
“Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses,” the Chairman of the committee, Mr Sani Musa, said as the committee passed the resolution.
CAC was part of a group of agencies that the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended zero allocation for the year 2026, for allegedly failing to account for public funds appropriated to them.
The committee, at an investigative hearing held two weeks ago, accused CAC and some other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of shunning invitations to respond to audit queries contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s annual reports for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The PAC chairman, Mr Bamidele Salam, stated that the National Assembly should not continue to appropriate public funds to institutions that disregard accountability mechanisms, saying this will create fiscal discipline and strengthen transparency across federal institutions and conform with extant financial regulations and the oversight powers of the parliament.
“Public funds are held in trust for the Nigerian people. Any agency that fails to account for previous allocations, refuses to submit audited accounts, or ignores legislative summons cannot, in good conscience, expect fresh budgetary provisions. Accountability is not optional; it is a constitutional obligation,” he said.
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