Purpose Building maintenance (BM) has become increasingly challenging because of the overbearing complexity of issues that impact the efficiency and longevity of buildings and assets. The persistent causes of maintenance-related issues include design and construction flaws, substandard materials, improper use of buildings by occupants and ineffective management practices, which have underscored the urgent need for BM organisations to adopt proactive management strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the underlying causes of recurrent BM issues in Nigeria, assess the extent of technological adoption in BM practices and identify potential areas for improved proactive maintenance. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative approach using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index. Data was collected through an expert survey distributed to BM professionals in Nigeria. Findings The primary recurrent BM issues are predominantly rooted in organisational dynamics, with technical complexities and challenges related to building occupants following in significance. While there is a noted transition towards proactive maintenance approaches with BM managers integrating technologies, a significant potential remains untapped in predictive maintenance using advanced technologies. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study spotlight crucial challenges in Nigeria’s BM sector, emphasising the need for institutional and technological reforms. While the research provides valuable insights, it is limited by a modest response rate to the expert survey, indicating the necessity for further studies to validate these findings. Originality/value This research offers a novel perspective on BM practices within the Nigerian context, highlighting the evolving role of technology in proactive maintenance and the untapped potential of predictive maintenance strategies.
Obarisiagbon et al. (Wed,) studied this question.