Application of Life Cycle Costing in the Management of Federal Secretariat Buildings in Lagos

Life cycle costing (LCC) provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the total cost of ownership of buildings, encompassing acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal costs. Despite its recognised value, LCC is rarely applied in the management of public buildings in Nigeria. This study examines the application of life cycle costing in the management of Federal Secretariat buildings in Lagos, one of Nigeria's most densely occupied government property portfolios. A mixed-method research design was adopted, combining structured questionnaires with analysis of historical maintenance expenditure records. Eighty respondents including facility managers, quantity surveyors, and Federal Capital Development Authority representatives participated. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, cost modelling, and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that facility decisions for the Lagos secretariats are driven primarily by short-term budget cycles, with no evidence of long-term maintenance cost modelling. Energy consumption and cooling system maintenance emerge as the largest recurring cost components, averaging 38% of annual facility budgets. The study demonstrates that application of LCC at the design inception stage of comparable facilities could reduce 30-year total ownership costs by an estimated 17%. Recommendations include mandatory LCC assessments for all new federal buildings, integration of building energy management systems, and capacity building for quantity surveyors in whole-life cost modelling. This research advocates for a lifecycle approach to public asset management in Nigeria's South West commercial hub. Keywords: life cycle costing, federal buildings, Lagos, facility management, whole-life cost