Management of Facilities at Public Universities in Africa: Current Challenges and the Way Forward

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the challenges of management of facilities at public universities in Africa. Results reveal that: poor condition and the overcrowding of facilities, limited skills and capabilities of facility management departments, and lack of financial resources are the main challenges which the management of facilities at public universities in Africa faces. In worse situations, these problems have adversely affected the quality of the learning and teaching environment at the institutions and also threatened their existence. Prioritization of funding for the provision and improvement of quality facilities at public universities by governments, employment of well qualified and trained staff in the facility management departments at the public universities, and creation of innovative and smarter public-private partnerships aimed at the improvement of existing facilities and provision of new ones were identified as the key solutions that can be implemented to address the challenges that public universities in Africa are facing in relation to facilities. Findings will support public universities in Africa to address challenges of management of their facilities so that they can continue to achieve their intended objectives of offering high quality higher education, research and community engagement in order to accelerate socio-economic development of their countries on the continent in the future.

Effect of Facilities Performance and Quality on User’s Satisfaction with Facilities Provided in Industrial Training Fund Building Maitama, Abuja

“…Facilities management is defined more specifically by [10] as the management of facilities and services necessary to accommodate and support a client organisation's core business activities while continuously enhancing the client. These definitions imply that facilities management supports a firm's core business and focuses on a good work environment and having a sense [4]. Facility management is critical to assist an organisation's long-term and short-term core business.…”

Challenges in Managing University Land Use to Generate Income: A Review

“…Based on the current situation, as stated by the World Bank (2015), university have problems managing their expenditure. One of the reasons behind this is the reduction of budget allocation by the higher government (McLaren & Struwig, 2019;Chikafalimani et al, 2021). Therefore with this minimum budget, it is seen as a challenge for university to obtain land development funds.…”

“…Universities can't rely on government funds to solve the challenge. Therefore Chikafalimani et al (2021) and MOHE (2016) recommended public-private partnerships, leases, rent, and many more initiatives as potential mechanisms that can be used to raise funds. This approach can help the university gain funds for its project.…”

Strategies to overcome barriers to public facilities management

“…Studies on public infrastructure/facilities management abound across the world (e.g. Choka, 2012;Alshehri et al, 2015;Mojela, 2013;Ngobeni et al, 2015;Ali et al, 2016;Boshof, 2017;Mong et al, 2019;Chikafalimani et al, 2021;Jerome and Nel, 2021;Mazele and Amoah, 2022). However, the majority focused on the challenges and problems associated with public facilities/infrastructure management.…”

“…, 2016; Boshof, 2017; Mong et al. , 2019; Chikafalimani et al. , 2021; Jerome and Nel, 2021; Mazele and Amoah, 2022).…”