Fadekemi Ajakaiye
Nigeria will host the 2025 IFMA Global Africa Conference, a prestigious event that will bring together industry leaders from across the continent.
Managing Director of International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Lara Paemen stated this when she visited the IFMA Nigeria Chapter Secretariat in Lagos, recently.
Hosting the 2025 IFMA Global Africa Conference underscores the country’s growing importance in the international facility management landscape, said the President, ESV Olalekan Akinwumi, who led Council members and the workforce to receive Ms. Paemen.
In addition, she unveiled an initiative aimed at encouraging student participation in the World Workplace (WWP) event, extending the programme to three African students, one from Nigeria, and two from other African nations. These students will receive complimentary access to WWP and will be given accommodation. The visit marked a pivotal moment for collaboration and strategic discussions.
In his response, Akinwumi expressed gratitude for Paemen’s visionary leadership as the Managing Director of IFMA EMEA and sought more support from the global body located in Houston, United States of America.
The Immediate Past President, Mr. Segun Adebayo, highlighted the Nigeria Chapter’s achievements over its 27 years. He made it known that IFMA Nigeria’s established presence through the Chapter’s collaborative efforts has brought value to the country through various events in promoting the organization, and building relationships with both the corporate and public sectors, thereby increasing membership.
In 2023, the Chapter co-hosted an event on “Delivering Effective and Sustainable FM in the Built Environment” at Nigeria’s largest construction industry event, Big 5 Construct Nigeria. The Chapter has collaborated with various institutions including the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Lagos State Safety Commission, and the University of Lagos to champion notable causes within the built environment.
