The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter has elected an estate surveyor and valuer, Mr Olalekan Akinwumi as its 14th president.
Following the election, which formed part of the body’s Annual General Meeting recently, Akinwumi succeeded Mr Segun Adebayo.
In his valedictory speech, Adebayo appreciated the collaborators, sponsors, partners, and everyone who contributed to the success achieved under his leadership from December 2020 when he took over the leadership of the association.
According to him: “Our collective resolve and commitment as a forward-thinking association through our renewed purpose has not only deepened our relevance but also enhanced the growth and development of the facility management space”.
He congratulated the new council members and he said that he is convinced of their collective ability to take the association to a greater and enviable height.
In his acceptance speech, Akinwumi said: “I am delighted that I am found worthy of your trust and faith so much that you bestowed on me the leadership of this great Association. I am sure that with the collective experience of these eminent persons in this council, it is certain we are going to make a remarkable impact as we are driven to make ‘Talk FM, Do FM in Lagos and Nigeria at large’ a reality.
“I will also like to acknowledge the tremendous initiatives that were undertaken by the previous leaders. Indeed, you are an inspiration and you have set before us a good challenge. We have a responsibility to continue with the great works that you began and we shall do that, and even surpass it with this new team”.
The new President said that his leadership would focus on establishing sellable research, establishing new collaborations with individuals and organisations, and improving on existing ones, expanding the local trainings to fit the Nigerian environment and building an effective association as a whole.
Akinwumi is the founder of Lekan Akinwumi & Co, a qualified Estate Surveyor and Valuer with over 20 years professional experience in property and facilities management, real estate brokerage, valuation and appraisal of properties as well in consultancy services.
He has a Higher National Diplomain Estate Management from The Polytechnic, Ibadan; a Post-Graduate Diploma in Estate Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure; and a certificate in project management from the University of Lagos.
He is also a member of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and attended various courses organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation Academy, and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, and among others.
Akinwumi had served IFMA Nigeria as the Vice President, General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary and Treasurer. He was also the Secretary of the Faculty of Valuation and Compensation of The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.
He is the current Chairman of the Professional Group, Business Assets and Intellectual Property Valuation (The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers).
Other members of the council include the Vice President, Engr. Sheriff Daramola; General Secretary, Mr Donald George; Assistant General Secretary, Mr Hakeem Olaonipekun; Treasurer, Engr. Adeniyi Ifaturoti; and Publicity Secretary, Mr Chinedu Nwachukwu.
IFMA Nigeria chapter was founded in 1995 by a special group of professionals drawn across the industries within the built environment including architects, civil engineers, electrical engineers, and builders, among others who had a burning desire to provide Nigeria with the opportunity of developing a maintenance culture that will shape the future of the country.
It is an affiliate of IFMA Worldwide where membership is open to people actively engaged in the application practice, teaching, and researching of facilities management principles and techniques for the built environment.
The association is involved in training, lectures, facility tours, interactive seminars, education, and research. All these are aimed at equipping relevant officers with current skills, knowledge and increasing effective practice of facility management in both the private and public sectors.
