Evaluation of Facilities Management Competencies and Practices in Public primary school buildings, Ondo state, Nigeria

Abstract

The persistent deterioration of public primary school infrastructure in Nigeria, especially in Ondo State, highlights the critical need for effective facilities management (FM) practices driven by competent personnel. Despite the growing recognition of the role of FM in educational outcomes, limited research exists on how facilities management competencies influence FM practices in public basic education. This study, therefore, assessed the effects of FM competencies on FM practices in public primary school buildings in Ondo State. A quantitative research design was employed, and Ondo State was chosen as the study area due to its socio-economic diversity and educational relevance. Structured questionnaires were distributed to 500 respondents, comprising end-users (teachers and school administrators) and professionals (facilities managers, architects, engineers, builders, and quantity surveyors). A total of 484 valid responses were retrieved, representing a 96.8% response rate. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to determine the effect of FM competencies on FM practices. The findings indicated a statistically significant and positive relationship, facility management competencies and practices in the study area. influencing FM practices. The Human Resource Management (bHRM) construct emerged as the most impactful factor influencing the various dimensions of facilities management practices (β = 0.372; T = 6.087; p < 0.05). Indicator bHRM 2, which focuses on ensuring adequate staffing for effective facilities management, was found to be the most influential in improving practices such as asset management (eAM), budget allocation (eBA), maintenance practices (eMP), and space planning (eSP). The study concludes that strengthening FM competencies, especially in human resource and stakeholder engagement, is essential for improving FM implementation in public primary schools. It recommends the government and relevant education authorities prioritize the recruitment, training, and retention of qualified FM personnel. Establishing comprehensive training programs and clear career pathways for FM staff will ensure that schools have the human capacity needed to implement effective FM practices. The study contributes to knowledge by offering empirical evidence on the role of FM competencies in shaping FM practices in Nigeria’s public primary education sector and adapting global FM frameworks to localised, resource constrained environments.

Suggested citation

, Bunmi G. Omojola , Adeyemi O. Adepoju , Oyewale J. Ojo (2025). Evaluation of Facilities Management Competencies and Practices in Public primary school buildings, Ondo state, Nigeria Scientific Journal for Technology Management, Information & Artificial Intelligence, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.69798/77504999

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