UNILAG, IFMA partner to train facility managers 

To strengthen the capacity building and professional development of facility managers, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Nigeria chapter, has reaffirmed its partnership with the University of Lagos towards the training of more professionals in the country.

The body stated this during a courtesy visit by the association led by its President, Mr. Segun Adebayo and other members of the council to the university.

The association stressed its commitment to continuous learning and development through strategic collaboration with other professional bodies and reputable organisations to ensure the entrenchment of best global practices facility management in the country.

The current council equally aims to engage with various private and public sector stakeholders in order to play up the relevance of the profession and also to collaboratively support the build environment in a complementary way between the town and gown.

Adebayo noted that the association has taken into cognisance the need to strategically align with other institutions in the areas of capacity building, research and development, mentorship and partnership.
He said: “We would want to share practical experiences with the students of the University of Lagos and also organise exchange internships.”

He assured the university that this collaborative support would engender more conversations that would lead to maximising the economy of facility management.

Responding, Head of Department, Estate Management, Professor Modupe Omirin, said she loved the zeal of the council because IFMA Nigeria chapter was investing in the future of the country with her various activities. She urged the association to remain a forward-thinking advocacy group.

She equally noted that the opportunities via the Coronavirus pandemic must not be lost, as it had shown that events could be hosted virtually and the association should not be deterred in her knowledge-sharing sessions, which had helped to improve the knowledge of her members.

Omirin urged all professionals within the construction industry to always have a facility manager to be a part of the integrated design team, so that they can adequately consider the proposed structure from the functionality, usability and
maintainability.

“Facility Management Consultancy in Property Development would help influence how property would be maintained,” she added.

Recently, the Association and Applied Engineering Technology Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding on deepening capacity building through training, sustainability initiative and mentorship development for practitioners in the built environment in Nigeria.