2026 World Facility Management Day: Experts Call for Built Environments That Foster Belonging and Responsible Citizenship

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Stakeholders in the built environment and sustainability sectors underscored the vital role of facility management in shaping behaviour, fostering community connection, and advancing sustainable urban living at the 2026 World Facility Management Day celebration organised by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter. The event took place at the Alliance Française Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos state.

The theme, “Cultivating Belonging Through Built Environments,” gathered professionals, policymakers, sustainability advocates, and industry leaders to discuss how built environments can create stronger, more inclusive, and people‑centred communities.

Keynote speaker and Managing Partner of GYB Cojsults Limited, Architect Olugbenga Onabanjo, explained that built environments extend beyond physical structures and must be intentionally designed to influence emotional connection, responsible behaviour, and civic consciousness.

Onabanjo highlighted that cultivating belonging requires deliberate investment in community‑centred infrastructure, including walkable neighbourhoods, safe public spaces, green environments, and a culture of proper maintenance.

“Built environments are not just physical spaces; they are emotional and behavioural systems that shape how people think, interact, and behave. The environment sends messages every day, and when spaces are intentionally designed with safety, walkability, greenery, and proper maintenance in mind, they encourage connection, civic responsibility, and a stronger sense of belonging,” he said.

Engr Sheriff Daramola, President of IFMA Nigeria Chapter, noted that facility management has evolved over roughly three decades from informal maintenance practices into a strategic discipline that delivers measurable value across sectors such as banking, healthcare, transportation, education, oil and gas, telecommunications, media, public infrastructure, and the broader built environment.

Daramola added that strengthening Nigeria’s facility management sector requires deliberate investment in indigenous skill development, technology adoption, renewable energy systems, professional regulation, sustainable infrastructure practices, circular economy initiatives, shared operational systems, and globally competitive standards to position the sector as a key driver of economic growth, resilience, and sustainable urban development.

“Facility management plays a crucial role in shaping workplaces and public spaces that foster safety, inclusion, respect, and diversity. Professionalism in facility management is earned through impactful knowledge, value‑driven service, process alignment, technology adoption, and sustainable best practices. As we mark World FM Day 2026, we must continue to strengthen recognition for the profession while advancing collaborations that ensure our built environments remain safe, efficient, resilient, and people‑centred,” he added.

He also praised Mr Segun Adebayo, the only Nigerian recognised as one of the Top Global FM Influencers, noting that his recognition demonstrates Nigeria’s role in shaping the future of Facility Management through innovation, leadership and measurable impact.

In his address, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, represented by Deputy Director of the Office of Drainage, Services and Water Resources, Mr Akinwumi Babatunde, explained that the environment is the structure that supports human activities. With about 22 million people in Lagos, the state faces significant environmental pressure, but the ministry is working to ensure residents remain healthy within a robust policy framework. Lagos has accelerated its urban green initiative, deepened underground stormwater management, and other measures. He urged FM professionals to deliberately factor in climate risk and adopt green facility practices.

Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, Titilayo Oshodi, sent a goodwill message commending IFMA Nigeria for creating a platform that unites professionals across the country and advances discussions on inclusive and sustainable facility management practices. Drawing from the State’s Eco‑Circulate initiative, Oshodi noted that sustainable environments can only be achieved when communities are actively connected to and take responsibility for the spaces they occupy.

Laura Paeman, Managing Director of IFMA EMEA, also spoke, stating that facility management professionals play a critical role in creating environments that are welcoming, respectful, and supportive of people’s wellbeing. She added that the future of facility management lies in building workplaces and communities that are human‑centred, sustainable, and adaptable to evolving societal needs.

Corporate stakeholders and industry representatives present included Femi Owopetu of ST&T, Alaba Fagun of Berger Paints, Olumide Aina of the Association of Facility Management Practitioners Nigeria, Oluseun Alabi of African Export‑Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), Emad Yassin of Provast Limited, Engr Aminat Dottie of Julius Berge Facilities Management, and Adenike Adekambi of the Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency. Other organisations represented were LAMATA, The University of Lagos, Almog Engineering, Meditrack, Total Facility Management, Tunde Adejumo & Co, and Entaliaz Household Services.