Copyright tribuneonlineng
By Adebiyi Ayeni The practice of Facility Management (FM) is undergoing a significant transformation. Once seen merely as a routine maintenance function, facility management has evolved into a strategic discipline that adds measurable value to buildings, organisations, and the environment. The contemporary practice of facility management has transformed to a professional discipline that coordinates and integrates people, places, processes and technology in ensuring the functionality, wellbeing, comfort, safety and efficiency of built environment. Urban areas are the commercial heartbeat of every nation which are characterised by a built environment of buildings, roads, and infrastructures. They are centres for commerce, administration, and industry which present unique challenges and opportunities that are reshaping how Estate Surveyors and Valuers approach the management of built assets, including buildings and physical infrastructures. With urban renewals and redevelopments, the built environment is remodeled and developments of vertical structures, particularly in high land value areas, are becoming a normal trend which is creating greater opportunities for professional in facility management practice. Lagos is a major urban area among other cities in Nigeria. One of the present and most pressing issues in Lagos as well as other major cities in Nigeria is energy efficiency and sustainability. With increasing electricity tariffs and the high cost of running generators, property owners and managers are turning to alternative energy sources such as solar systems and hybrid power solutions. Estate Surveyors and Valuers managing facilitated residential estates, commercial complexes, and corporate buildings are now expected to champion energy audits, promote green maintenance practices, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Sustainability is no longer a luxury; it is an operational necessity in major developing cities and ever-expanding property market. Equally transformative is the impact of technology on facility management. The introduction of Smart building systems, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software is redefining service delivery. At present, forward-thinking firms are adopting Internet of Things (IoT) devices that monitor water usage, energy consumption, and security in real time. This digital shift has made facility management more predictive, data-driven, and efficient. Estate Surveyors and Valuers who embrace technology are finding themselves better equipped to meet client expectations and manage complex facilities in high-density urban areas. Another emerging issue is the outsourcing of non-core services such as cleaning, security, landscaping, and waste management. While outsourcing allows firms to focus on strategic management, it also introduces challenges in quality assurance and accountability. The professional Facility Manager, often an Estate Surveyor and Valuer, must coordinate multiple service providers while maintaining performance standards. In a dynamic city like Lagos, where property users are highly demanding, maintaining this balance requires both technical skill and professional integrity. In addition, occupant satisfaction and user experience have become central to facility management practice. Property occupiers, whether in residential estates or office complexes, now demand comfort, safety, and responsiveness. Facility managers must, therefore, go beyond fixing faults and routine maintenance; they must create environments that enhance productivity, promote wellness, and ensure value for money. The adoption of post-occupancy evaluations and regular feedback mechanisms has become crucial in sustaining client trust and property value. Despite these advancements, the sector still struggles with policy inconsistencies and a lack of standardization. Lagos, being Nigeria’s economic hub, needs a clear policy framework to guide public and private facility management operations. Professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) must continue to advocate for standardized practices and ethical conduct. Only through professional regulation and collaboration can the facility management industry in Nigeria, particularly Lagos, achieve global best standards. In conclusion, the future of facility management lies in integration, sustainability, and innovation. Estate Surveyors and Valuers must position themselves not only as maintenance experts but as strategic asset managers capable of optimizing costs, improving performance, and enhancing user satisfaction. The days of reactive management are over; our urban centres demand proactive facility managers who can harness technology, promote sustainability, and deliver measurable value in an increasingly competitive property market. •Ayeni, a registered estate surveyor and valuer, a member of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and consultant, is based in Lagos.
