Assessment of Maintenance Cost Management of Public Buildings in Sokoto State

Maintenance cost management of public buildings in Nigeria is frequently neglected, resulting in accelerated deterioration of government assets and escalating remedial expenditure. This study assesses the practices and challenges of maintenance cost management in public buildings in Sokoto State, focusing on government offices, schools, and health facilities maintained by the State Ministry of Works. A survey research design was used, with structured questionnaires administered to 72 facility managers, quantity surveyors, and ministry officials. Data were analysed using frequency tables and mean item scores. Findings reveal that planned preventive maintenance is practiced in fewer than 25% of public buildings in the state, with most maintenance activities reactive and remedial in nature. Budget shortfalls, lack of maintenance schedules, absence of building condition assessments, and poor record-keeping are identified as the primary barriers to effective maintenance cost management. The study finds that the absence of qualified quantity surveyors in the maintenance planning process contributes to persistent cost underestimation and inappropriate prioritisation of interventions. Recommendations include the establishment of a facility management unit within the Ministry of Works, the development of long-term maintenance cost plans for all public assets, and training of technical staff in life cycle costing principles. This research contributes to knowledge on maintenance management in under-resourced public sector environments in North West Nigeria. Keywords: maintenance cost, public buildings, Sokoto State, facility management, life cycle costing