Contextual Determinants of Facilities Management Strategies in the Lagos Commercial Real Estate Sector.

Abstract:

Facilities Management (FM) plays an increasingly strategic role in sustaining the performance of commercial properties, particularly in rapidly urbanising contexts such as Lagos, Nigeria. This study examines the contextual determinants shaping FM strategies in the Lagos commercial real estate sector. Drawing on a survey of 167 registered facility managers, the research employed descriptive and inferential statistics to evaluate the effectiveness of various strategies, including preventive maintenance, Total Facilities Management (TFM), customer service protocols, and technology integration. Findings indicate that preventive maintenance and TFM are perceived as the most effective approaches, yielding significant benefits in asset longevity, cost control, and tenant satisfaction. However, the study highlights persistent challenges, including limited adoption of advanced technologies due to infrastructural constraints, financing barriers, and workforce skill gaps. The analysis, framed within contingency theory, underscores that FM effectiveness depends on aligning strategies with contextual realities such as building morphology, economic pressures, and regulatory environments. The study concludes that while Lagos is transitioning towards integrated FM models, uneven implementation limits overall outcomes. It recommends investment in workforce development, staged technology adoption, vendor governance, and sustainability measures to strengthen resilience. The findings contribute to both scholarship and practical decision-making in facilities management.