Osemudiamen Owobu Advocates Data-Driven Approach for Nigeria’s Facilities Management Sector

Facilities management (FM) professionals across Nigeria are being urged to embrace data and technology as the backbone of decision-making, efficiency, and client satisfaction in an increasingly digital economy.

In a recent thought piece titled “From Gut Feelings to Hard Facts: Why Facilities Management Must Go Data-Driven,” Nigerian FM expert and business leader Osemudiamen Owobu underscored the urgent need for the industry to transition from traditional, intuition-based practices to data-driven strategies powered by analytics, IoT, and artificial intelligence.

Owobu noted that many FM operations in Nigeria still rely heavily on manual records and reactive management, resulting in rising costs and poor service outcomes. He stressed that adopting Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) will not only improve efficiency but also position FM providers for long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

“Facilities management has long been one of the largest cost centres for organisations, consuming up to 40% of operational budgets,” Owobu explained. “By leveraging data from energy consumption to maintenance logs managers can plan strategically, reduce waste, and prove measurable value to clients.”

He added that the benefits of data-driven FM extend beyond facility managers to service providers, tenants, and the general public. According to him, smart analytics and digital platforms can enhance user experiences, improve transparency, and ensure safer, more sustainable environments.

However, Owobu acknowledged that several challenges persist in Nigeria’s FM space, including fragmented data systems, limited digital infrastructure, and high implementation costs. He urged companies to take a phased approach by starting small, adopting affordable cloud platforms, and investing in staff training to build capacity for digital transformation.

In his concluding remarks, the FM specialist delivered a clear message for industry stakeholders: “We cannot manage what we do not measure. Those who embrace data today will lead the FM industry tomorrow.”

Owobu’s insights come at a crucial time when organisations across Nigeria are exploring digital innovations to enhance operational performance, sustainability, and resilience in an evolving global economy.