Facility Management Challenges of Public Educational Facilities in Nigeria

This study investigates the inconsistencies between the construction stage and the uptake of the facility management phase of constructed public educational facilities in developing countries. Maintenance issues arise from this time that may affect the utility expected of the facility which may or may not be connected to the construction phase. A quantitative research approach was utilised for this study. Close-ended questionnaires were distributed to forty four facility managers and construction professionals in maintenance departments of selected public educational institutions in Ekiti, South west Nigeria. Descriptive statistics was utilised in the interpretation of results. Analysed data relate the need to institute comprehensive maintenance management policies and plans for the effective management of higher educational facilities to prolong their utility and lifespan. Introducing standard maintenance contracts and contract conditions for improving the efficiency of built assets in HEIs through policy organs such as TETfund and improving the awareness of facility management practice especially among industry policymakers is recommended. Facility management contracts must be defined to take care of operations and the maintenance phase of buildings and facilities in public educational institutions. If these thoughts are envisaged at the pre-tender stage, they will be easier to implement. The study was based on a purposive sampling of public educational facilities in a specific geographical area. The findings cannot easily be generalized. This study contributes to the literature on Facilities Management globally and in Nigeria and suggests the improvement of facility management awareness in public higher educational institutions and the development of structured facility management contracts.