Assessment of Structural Integrity and Maintenance of Government Secretariat Buildings in Lafia, Nassarawa State

Government administrative buildings in Nigerian state capitals are frequently characterised by poor maintenance, structural deterioration, and inadequate spatial provision for modern office functions, creating an unfavourable working environment and significant liability for the public estate. This study assesses the structural integrity and maintenance status of five secretariat buildings in Lafia, the Nassarawa State capital, using a visual structural survey methodology combined with a facilities management audit. The structural survey recorded defects including wall cracking, roof membrane failures, corrosion of reinforcement in concrete members, rising damp, and floor surface deterioration. Defects were classified by severity and area of occurrence using a standardised condition rating system. Facilities management audit examined maintenance budgets, maintenance logs, and the qualification profile of estate management personnel. Photographic documentation was prepared for all identified defects. Findings indicate that three of five buildings contain structural cracks requiring urgent engineering investigation, while two buildings showed active roof leaks causing damage to interior finishes and stored records. Rising damp was observed in ground floor offices of all five buildings, attributable to absent or failed damp-proof course treatment. None of the five buildings had a current documented maintenance plan. Annual maintenance budgets were reported as averaging less than two percent of estimated replacement value, compared to the internationally recommended five to six percent benchmark. The study recommends the immediate commissioning of structural engineering assessments, the establishment of a dedicated maintenance budget line in the Nassarawa State annual appropriation, and the appointment of a qualified facilities manager for the state secretariat estate. Keywords: structural integrity, government buildings, maintenance, Lafia, Nassarawa State.