Olumide Aina wants Nigeria to invest seriously in facility management. The AFMPN president spoke on World FM Day 2026.
Buildings shouldn't be abandoned after construction, he argued. Public infrastructure needs proper care to keep Nigerians safe.
Hospitals, schools, offices, and markets are essential to daily life. They must be maintained to function properly.
"For too long, we've treated facility management as an afterthought," Aina told reporters. Buildings get built, handed over, then left to deteriorate.
Power cuts happen. Water leaks everywhere.
Elevators break down. Safety gets compromised.
Poor maintenance costs Nigeria far more than just money. Failing infrastructure kills productivity and erodes public trust in institutions.
FM professionals play a vital role in national development. Their work keeps buildings functional, clean, sustainable, and accessible.
In his words: "We ensure children learn in clean classrooms. We help patients recover in hygienic hospitals.
We allow workers to be productive."
Aina praised facility managers across the country for their work. Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Benue, Port Harcourt, and Kano all benefit from their efforts.
But stakeholders need to do better. More training and certification are urgently needed.
Stronger partnerships between government, academia, and industry would help too. Young Nigerians should see FM as a respected career path.
The sector can directly improve lives and boost economic growth. It deserves better recognition.
Leaders in both public and private sectors should hire qualified facility managers early. They must involve them from project planning stages.
Waiting until problems develop costs more in the end. Aina was clear on this point.
"The cost of neglect is always higher than the cost of maintenance," he noted.
AFMPN remains committed to raising professional standards across Nigeria. Capacity development will continue to be a priority.
Nigerians deserve dignity in their built environments. Safe, well-managed spaces matter for everyone.
He told FM professionals something important: "Your work often goes unseen, but it is felt every day." They're creating spaces where people feel safe and valued.
That foundation matters for building a stronger Nigeria. Facility managers understand this responsibility.
