Evaluation of Facility Management Practices in Public University Campuses in Niger State

This study evaluates the quality and effectiveness of facility management practices in public university campuses in Niger State, North Central Nigeria, focusing on Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai and Federal University of Technology Minna. University facility management encompasses the maintenance of academic buildings, staff quarters, student hostels, sports facilities, roads, and utility systems, and its effectiveness directly influences educational quality and community satisfaction. The study employs a descriptive survey approach, administering structured questionnaires to 200 students, 80 academic and administrative staff, and 20 campus facility officers. Assessment criteria cover maintenance regime quality, cleanliness standards, utility supply reliability, accessibility provisions, and safety systems. Findings indicate that the majority of respondents rate existing facility management as poor to fair, with maintenance being predominantly reactive rather than planned. Physical plant inspections confirm deteriorating hostel buildings, non-functional sanitation systems, and unreliable power supply. Staff quarters maintenance is reported as marginally better than student facilities, reflecting prioritisation of staff retention concerns. The study identifies inadequate maintenance budgets, absence of qualified facility managers, and lack of facilities management policy frameworks as the primary causes of poor performance. Recommendations include establishing dedicated facilities management departments in each institution, adopting a preventive maintenance schedule framework, and integrating facility lifecycle cost planning into university capital budgeting. Keywords: facility management, university campus, maintenance, Niger State, public institutions.