adsStakeholders in the built environment and sustainability sectors have reinforced the critical role of facility management in shaping behaviour, fostering community connection, and driving sustainable urban living at the 2026 World Facility Management Day celebration organised by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter held at the Alliance Française Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos.
The event, themed “Cultivating Belonging Through Built Environments,” brought together professionals, policymakers, sustainability advocates, and industry leaders to explore how built environments can create stronger, more inclusive, and people-centred communities.
Delivering the keynote address, Olugbenga Onabanjo, Architect and Managing Partner, GYB Cojsults Limited, explained that built environments go beyond physical structures and must be intentionally designed to influence emotional connection, responsible behaviour, and civic consciousness.
Onabanjo noted that cultivating belonging requires deliberate investment in community-centred infrastructure, including walkable neighbourhoods, safe public spaces, green environments, and proper maintenance culture.
“Built environments are not just physical spaces; they are emotional and behavioural systems that shape how people think, interact, and behave. The environment sends messages every day, and when spaces are intentionally designed with safety, walkability, greenery, and proper maintenance in mind, they encourage connection, civic responsibility, and a stronger sense of belonging,” he said.adsads
