Arc. Moroumubo Oludiran, General Manager of APIC Managers Limited, speaks with BusinessDay about how APIC Managers is staying ahead of the competition by combining technology, skilled manpower, and operational expertise to deliver smarter and more efficient facility solutions. She discussed how APIC is building a workforce that is locally grounded yet globally compliant by bridging the skills gap through training, standardisation, and continuous development, among other key insights. Excerpts:
The theme for World FM Day 2026 is ‘Cultivating Belonging in the Built Environment.’ In a diverse and fast-paced market like Nigeria, how is APIC Managers evolving its service delivery to ensure that physical workspaces foster a genuine sense of inclusion and community for employees?
At APIC Managers, we believe that Facilities Management today goes beyond maintaining buildings, it is about creating environments where people feel valued, connected, productive, and safe. This aligns strongly with the 2026 World FM Day theme, “Cultivating Belonging Through Built Environments,” which highlights the role of FM in fostering inclusion and community within workplaces.
In a dynamic and diverse market like Nigeria, our approach to service delivery is evolving in three key ways.
First, we are becoming more people-centric in our operations. We no longer see facilities as just physical assets; we see them as spaces that directly influence employee wellbeing, collaboration, and organizational culture. This means we pay closer attention to user experience, comfort, accessibility, cleanliness, safety, and responsiveness to occupant needs.
Secondly, we are leveraging technology and data-driven maintenance systems to improve efficiency and communication. Through proactive maintenance, faster response times, and smarter facility monitoring, we reduce workplace disruptions and create environments where people can work comfortably and confidently.
Thirdly, we are strengthening community engagement within the facilities we manage. We encourage regular stakeholder communication, safety awareness programs, wellness initiatives, and inclusive policies that make employees and residents feel heard and respected regardless of background or role.
Nigeria’s workplace culture is evolving rapidly, especially with the rise of hybrid work, wellness awareness, and increasing expectations around workplace experience. As a result, APIC Managers is continuously adapting by combining operational excellence with empathy, sustainability, and human-centered facility management.
For us, success is no longer measured only by how well a building functions, but also by how well the people within that environment feel connected, supported, and empowered.
With the persistent inflationary pressures and currency fluctuations seen in early 2026, how is APIC Managers helping corporate clients optimize their ‘Total Cost of Ownership’ (TCO) without compromising on the quality of maintenance and safety?
In the face of persistent inflation, rising energy costs, and currency fluctuations in early 2026, APIC Managers has adopted a more strategic and data-driven approach to helping corporate clients optimize their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) while still maintaining high standards of safety, reliability, and service quality.
One of our major focus areas is preventive and predictive maintenance. Rather than waiting for equipment failures that lead to costly downtime and emergency repairs, we emphasize routine inspections, asset lifecycle planning, and early fault detection. This approach significantly reduces long-term operational costs and extends the lifespan of critical assets.
We are also helping clients become more energy-efficient. With the volatility in power and fuel costs, we advise organizations on smarter energy usage, efficient generator management, LED retrofits, water management systems, and optimized HVAC operations. These measures help reduce recurring utility expenses without affecting occupant comfort or operational performance.
Another key strategy is vendor and procurement optimization. Through stronger supplier relationships, local sourcing where possible, and strategic maintenance planning, we help clients reduce exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and rising import costs while ensuring quality materials and spare parts are still used.
Technology is also playing an important role in our operations. By leveraging digital maintenance tracking systems, facility audits, and performance monitoring tools, we improve response time, accountability, and operational efficiency. This enables clients to make informed decisions based on real-time facility data rather than reactive spending.
Importantly, APIC Managers does not believe cost optimization should come at the expense of safety or user experience. We maintain strict compliance with safety standards, routine risk assessments, and operational best practices because we understand that cutting corners in facility management often leads to even greater financial and reputational losses in the future.
Ultimately, our goal is to help clients move from short-term cost cutting to long-term value creation where facilities are not only maintained efficiently, but also contribute positively to productivity, business continuity, and asset preservation.
We are seeing a massive shift toward PropTech and IoT-integrated buildings in Lagos and Abuja. How is APIC Managers incorporating predictive maintenance and real-time data analytics to move away from the traditional ‘break-fix’ culture prevalent in the Nigerian market?
APIC Managers recognizes that the future of Facilities Management is increasingly technology-driven, especially with the rapid adoption of ProTech and IoT-enabled buildings across Lagos, and other major commercial hubs in Nigeria. The traditional “break-fix” culture, where action is only taken after equipment fails, is no longer sustainable in today’s fast-paced and cost-sensitive environment.
To address this, we are gradually integrating predictive maintenance strategies and real-time data analytics into our operations to create smarter, more proactive facilities management systems.
One of the major steps we have taken is the deployment of digital maintenance tracking and asset management systems. These tools help us monitor the performance history of critical equipment such as generators, elevators, pumps, and electrical infrastructure. By analyzing maintenance trends, operating hours, and recurring fault patterns, we can predict potential failures before they occur and schedule interventions proactively.
We are also leveraging IoT-enabled monitoring systems in selected facilities to track parameters such as power consumption, water levels, equipment temperature, vibration, fuel usage, and environmental conditions in real time. This allows our teams to detect abnormalities early, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency.
Another important shift is the use of data-driven decision-making. Instead of relying solely on reactive maintenance reports, we now provide clients with performance insights, maintenance analytics, and asset lifecycle recommendations. This helps organizations make smarter budgeting decisions, prioritize critical upgrades, and reduce unnecessary operational expenses.
Importantly, this transition is also changing the mindset around Facilities Management in Nigeria. Historically, many organizations viewed FM as a reactive support service. At APIC Managers, we are repositioning FM as a strategic business function that contributes directly to productivity, sustainability, risk reduction, and long-term asset preservation.
While the adoption of PropTech in Nigeria is still evolving, we believe the industry is moving toward a future where buildings will not just be maintained, but intelligently managed. APIC Managers is committed to staying ahead of that transition by combining technology, skilled manpower, and operational expertise to deliver smarter and more efficient facility solutions.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are no longer optional for high-net-worth investors and multinationals. Can you highlight specific green initiatives APIC has implemented such as energy retrofitting or waste-to-wealth programs that align with Nigeria’s 2060 Net Zero ambitions?
At APIC Managers, ESG is part of how we operate daily. We use energy-saving solutions such as smart meters and LED lighting to reduce energy and fuel consumption. We also promote waste management and recycling practices to minimize environmental impact.
At the same time, we maintain safe and healthy environments for occupants and ensure transparency in our operations. In all, we are taking practical steps to support sustainability and align with Nigeria’s Net Zero goals.
The nature of the office has fundamentally changed. How is your team advising clients on ‘Space Optimization’ transforming underutilized real estate into flexible, high-performance hubs that justify the high cost of premium commercial leases?
At APIC Managers, we help clients maximize the value of their space by focusing on flexibility and efficiency.
We ensure spaces are not sitting idle but are actively supporting productivity by helping clients use less space more effectively, so every square meter delivers value and justifies the cost of premium leases.