HUMAN CAPITAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT: AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL GREEN BUILDINGS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Specialised professional skills are required for sustainable facilities management to achieve operational effectiveness in commercial green buildings. The interest in the development of green buildings in Nigeria is on the increase, but empirical evidence on the competencies required to manage these facilities after occupation is still limited. The study examined the technical, managerial and interpersonal competences needed for sustainable facilities management in commercial green buildings in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed-methods cross-sectional research design that combined the questionnaire responses of 114 Estate Surveyors, Valuers and Facilities Managers with semi-structured interviews with 20 experienced built-environment professionals. Quantitative data were analysed using weighted mean scores, standard deviations, and rankings, whereas qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results showed a high overall assessment of competency requirements (grand WMS = 4.45). The highest ranked requirement was continuous professional training (WMS = 4.65), followed by technical competence in maintaining green building systems (WMS = 4.57), occupant-guidance communication (WMS = 4.56) and knowledge of sustainability principles (WMS = 4.56). Knowledge of environmental regulations and green building standards got the lowest relative rating (WMS = 4.20) but was still highly regarded. The interview findings revealed significant operational challenges such as lack of specialised training, problems with the management of building automation systems, unreliable electricity infrastructure, and interference from occupants with automated controls. The results indicate that effective management of green buildings requires a combination of technical knowledge, managerial capabilities, interpersonal skills and continuous professional development in an integrated way. The study provides context-specific evidence on the development of professional competency and implications for facilities management education, training and sustainable building operations in rapidly urbanising African cities.