Keynote Speakers
Meet the Keynote Speakers
Discover the inspiring keynote speakers at IFMA Global Africa, The premier conference for facility management professionals of the African continent. Gain insights, spark innovation and kick off your experience with thought leaders from around the globe.
Opening Keynote Day 1:
Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON
Former Federal Minister of Works and Housing
Enabling Sustainable Facility Management Practice in Africa
Born 28 June 1963 in Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister, Governor, and Commissioner. He studied Law at the University of Benin (graduated 1987) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. He practiced law for 14 years before entering public service, where he held various leadership roles, including two terms as Governor of Lagos State and two terms as Federal Minister (2015–2023).
Fashola was conferred with the prestigious SAN title in 2004. He is recognized for his work in infrastructure, public health (notably during the Ebola crisis), and governance reform. In 2015, he received the Stephen J. Solarz Award from the International Crisis Group and has been praised by TIME and The Economist for his leadership.
He is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the NBA, IBA, CIA, and CITN. Mr. Fashola is married to Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola and they have children.
Closing Keynote Day 1:
Panel Discussion:
Shaping the Future of FM in Africa: Building Skills through education.
Developing the right skills is essential to advancing facility management across the African continent. This closing session focuses on the vital role of education in building professional capacity, strengthening local expertise, and preparing future FM leaders for the challenges ahead.
Moderated by Lara Paemen, Managing Director IFMA EMEA, this panel brings together distinguished academics who are actively shaping FM education in Africa:
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Sheriff Maged
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Professor Chioma Okoro, University of Johannesburg
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Professor Iniobong Beauty John, University of Lagos (Unilag)
The discussion will explore how universities and training institutions can help close the skills gap, support knowledge transfer, and align education with the evolving needs of the FM industry.
Opening Keynote Day 2:
Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi
Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy
From Policy to Practice: How Governments Can Enable Circular Facility Management
Titilayo Oshodi is an Administrative Executive and Change Management Leader dedicated to youth empowerment and social reform. She builds inclusive, sustainable communities and believes in the power of young people to drive positive change through supportive policies and capacity-building.
Closing Keynote Day 2:
Dr. Matt Tucker
IFMA's Director of Research
The Rise of the FM Data Analyst
As facility management (FM) evolves into a more data-enabled discipline, a new mindset is emerging: that of the FM Analyst. This is not a formal job title, it is a working profile that reflects the modern FM professional who can interpret data, identify patterns, and apply insight to improve performance, reduce costs, and support sustainability.
Drawing on global research from IFMA’s recent report The Rise of the FM Analyst, this keynote explores how FM professionals across Africa can embrace the FM Analyst mindset. Whilst for much of Africa, advanced data-enabled systems or formal training in this area is still in its infancy, many African FM professionals are demonstrating the initiative, adaptability and problem-solving instincts that define this evolving role.
Matt will discuss how this transformation is as much cultural as it is technical, and why data confidence, storytelling, and cross-functional thinking are critical capabilities for FM leaders across the region.
Matt is Director of Research at IFMA and Professor at Liverpool Business School. With 20+ years of experience, 80+ publications and a Fulbright Scholarship, he’s a key figure in workplace research. Through his company, Connective Thought, he helps organizations turn insights into action.