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How to Improve the Outlook of an Old Building for Business Purposes in Nigeria

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By Dennis Isong

In Nigeria, many businesses are housed in older buildings due to their affordability, strategic location, or historical value.

However, these buildings often require significant upgrades to be visually appealing and functional for modern commercial purposes.

Revamping an old building can greatly improve its commercial viability, attract tenants or customers, and boost business operations.

Improving the outlook of an old building doesn’t always require a full-scale renovation; strategic enhancements can offer significant improvements. In this article, we will discuss practical steps to improve the aesthetics and functionality of an old building for business purposes in Nigeria.

  1. Do a Building Assessment
    Before embarking on any improvement project, a thorough assessment of the building’s current state is essential. This evaluation should cover both the exterior and interior, identifying areas that need repair or replacement.

  2. Ensure the building is structurally sound. Look for cracks, water damage, or foundation problems. Consult a structural engineer if necessary.
    Outdated wiring or plumbing can be hazardous. Have professionals inspect these systems and update them to meet modern safety standards.
    Consider how the building’s design, façade, and layout affect its appearance. Does it look old and outdated? Could minor cosmetic changes make a significant difference?
    Once the assessment is complete, prioritize repairs based on necessity and budget.
  3. Enhance the Façade
    The exterior of the building is the first thing customers or tenants see, and its condition can impact first impressions.
  4. Improving the façade should be a key focus in your project to modernize the building. In Nigeria’s competitive business environment, a visually appealing exterior can make a huge difference in attracting clients.
  5. One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve the outlook of an old building is through a fresh coat of paint. Opt for modern, neutral colors that suit the business type. Vibrant accents can add character and appeal.

  6. Outdated or damaged windows and doors can make a building look dilapidated. Install modern glass windows and sleek doors that complement the new look.
    Invest in modern, high-quality signage. Ensure it is visible, well-lit, and reflects the brand image.
    A well-maintained lawn, trees, or flower beds can enhance the curb appeal of your building. Consider adding potted plants or small garden areas, especially in urban areas where green spaces are scarce.
  7. Modernize the Interior Design
    Once you’ve addressed the building’s exterior, focus on transforming the interior to meet the needs of modern businesses. Outdated layouts or designs can deter potential tenants or customers, especially in sectors like retail, hospitality, or offices.

  8. Many modern businesses prefer open, flexible spaces. If possible, remove unnecessary partitions or walls to create an open, airy environment.
    Upgrade old lighting systems to energy-efficient LED lights. A combination of natural and artificial lighting enhances visibility and can make a space feel larger.
    Use modern furniture that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Opt for ergonomic chairs and sleek desks if you’re creating an office space.
  9. The décor should also reflect the brand and business type.
    Old, worn-out flooring can diminish the building’s appeal. Consider replacing it with durable, stylish options like polished concrete, laminate, or tile.
    In Nigeria’s hot climate, proper ventilation and air conditioning are essential for creating a comfortable business environment. Ensure that HVAC systems are in good condition or upgrade them if necessary.
  10. Upgrade Energy Efficiency
    Energy costs in Nigeria can be a significant expense for businesses, especially when dealing with older buildings that were not designed with modern energy-efficiency standards.
  11. Upgrading the building’s energy efficiency not only reduces operational costs but also makes the property more attractive to eco-conscious tenants.
    Proper insulation can significantly reduce the need for excessive air conditioning. Install insulation in the roof, walls, and floors to regulate indoor temperatures.
  12. Consider installing solar panels to supplement the electricity supply, reducing dependency on the grid.
  13. Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in Nigeria as a way to offset high electricity costs. Use double-glazed windows to minimize heat loss and reduce the need for constant air conditioning. Installing smart thermostats allows tenants to control the temperature more efficiently, reducing energy waste.
  14. Improve Accessibility
    Accessibility is a crucial factor when improving an old building for business purposes. Ensuring that your property is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, broadens its market appeal and complies with legal requirements.

  15. Ensure the building has wide, accessible entrances and exits. Ramps or elevators may need to be installed to accommodate wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
    Provide restrooms that are accessible to people with disabilities. This may involve widening doorways or installing handrails.
    Designate parking spaces close to the entrance for disabled individuals. If the building is situated in a busy area, ensure adequate and accessible parking facilities.
  16. Maintain the Building Regularly
  17. Once the improvements have been made, regular maintenance is essential to keep the building in good condition. Neglecting maintenance can cause the building to deteriorate quickly, negating the value of your investments.Schedule routine cleaning of both the interior and exterior.
  18. This helps maintain the building’s appeal and prevents issues like mould or pest infestations.Conduct regular inspections of the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems to identify and address potential issues before they escalate. Promptly fix any damages, whether it’s a leaky roof, cracked windows, or malfunctioning security systems. Delaying repairs can lead to bigger problems and higher costs in the future.
  19. Rebrand the Building

  20. If the building is old, it might have a reputation that no longer fits its new look and function.
  21. Rebranding can attract new tenants or customers by shifting perceptions and aligning the building with modern business trends.
    If the building’s name is outdated or unappealing, consider rebranding it with a new name that aligns with the type of businesses you want to attract.
    Invest in professional branding services to create a cohesive brand image for the building.
  22. This could include a logo, signage, and marketing materials.
    Use social media, local media, and outdoor advertising to showcase the improvements made to the building. Offer potential tenants a tour of the upgraded space.

▪︎For personalized assistance with your property needs, contact Dennis Isong, a top Lagos realtor specializing in helping Nigerians in the diaspora own property stress-free.

Contact: +2348164741041

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Yahaya Bello Vs EFCC: Court Adjourns Ruling and Continuation of Trials to June 26 , 27 and July 4 and 5

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You cannot cross examine him based on the document,” Daudu SAN argued. Enitan SAN added that he had the right to draw the attention of the court to some specific paragraphs in the document.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the alleged money laundering case instituted against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to June 26, 27 and July 4 and 5 for ruling on the request by the prosecution to “cross-examine” the 3rd witness and for continuation of trial.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the hearing after listening to addresses by the prosecution and defence counsels on the Prosecution’s move to initially cross-examine the witness, a position that was rejected by the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.

When the matter was called for continuation of cross-examination, the Defendant’s counsel asked the witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, whether he had testified in other courts with respect to the issue of school fees paid by the Bello family to AISA, he said yes.

But the witness, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja, said he could not mention the exact courts.

He admitted testifying in a similar charge involving Ali Bello but added that he never said anything adversely against former Governor Yahaya Bello just as he had not said anything negative or adversely against him in the instant charge.

After Daudu SAN concluded the cross-examination of the witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, the EFCC’s lawyer, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, moved to also cross-examine the Commission’s witness on Exhibit 19.

He told the court that he was not re-examining the EFCC’s witness, but cross-examining him because the document was admitted in evidence.

“I am not re-examining him, I am cross-examining him because they brought this document,” he said.

The Defendant’s lawyer, however, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the prosecution counsel’s position was unknown to law, in line with the Evidence Act.

“If you want to cross-examine your own witness, you have to first declare him a hostile witness. You cannot cross examine him based on the document,” Daudu SAN argued. Enitan SAN added that he had the right to draw the attention of the court to some specific paragraphs in the document.

At this point, the judge asked: “Do you have any provision of the law to support this?””I will draw your lordship attention to Section 36 of the Constitution.

They sought to tender this document, we objected and the court granted their prayer. Fair hearing demands that the complainant too has the right to examine this because Section 36 of the Constitution talks of fair hearing,”

Enitan responded. “We are not saying that they cannot re-examine the witness. That is what Section 36 under the law says about fair hearing. But if it is to cross-examine him, he will have to show us the law that backs that.

“He cannot come under the guise of fair hearing to want to cross-examine the witness,” the Defendant’s lawyer maintained. The judge, at the end of the arguments, refused to allow cross-examination of the witness by the EFCC lawyer.”

Under the procedure, the witness gives evidence in chief and the defendant cross examines, then the prosecution re-examines.

“With due respect, what I will do is if you people are so skewed to continue with this, it is better to address me on this and I will take a position,” he stated.

At this point, the prosecution counsel agreed to re-examine the EFCC’s witness and the judge gave him the go-ahead.”You can re-examine him on that but not to ask questions that will show cross examination,” Justice Nwite said.

However, when the prosecution lawyer proceeded to re-examine the witness, and his questions pointed at cross-examination, as observed by Daudu SAN, the judge insisted that the parties had to address him on the specific issue.

The Defendant’s Counsel, in his address, maintained that the position was unknown to law.

“My lord, the procedure that is being sought by the prosecution by refering the witness to the document tender in Exhibit 19 and by asking him to read paragraph 1, without drawing his attention to the issue on how the document affected his evidence in chief, the question asked in cross-examination, and the ambiguity, which needs clarification, amounts to a strange and unknown procedure not covered by the Evidence Act,” he stated.

Enitan SAN, disagreed, saying that in the case of Amobi Amobi referred to by the defendant’s counsel, the Supreme Court held that the learned trial judge ought to have allowed a re-examination of Exhibit E.

He said when the defendant sought to introduce the document, the prosecution team “submitted that this document was not made by the witness and as such, he should not be allowed to speak to it under cross examination or allowed to be confronted with it.”

“Having brought it in now, during the case of the prosecution, particularly during the cross examination of PW-3, your lordship should not allow them to shut us out as that would amount to the court allowing them to blow hot and cold,” Pinheiro SAN said.

Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned to June 26, 27 and July 4 and 5 for ruling and continuation of trial.

The 3rd prosecution witness had, at the last hearing on Thursday, said there was no wired transfer of fees from the Kogi State Government or any of the local Governments in the state to the account of the American International School, Abuja.

He also read out a part of a previous Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment that said there was no court order for AISA to return fees to EFCC or any judgment declaring the money as proceeds of money laundering.

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Bill Gates to give away 99% of his wealth

“I have decided to give my money back to society much faster than I had originally planned,” Gates, 69, wrote in a statement.

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The Gates Foundation plans to give away $313 billion over the next 20 years before shutting down entirely in 2045.

The move, according to Bloomberg, marks a new deadline for one of history’s largest and most influential charities.

That target would represent a doubling in spending for the non-profit foundation which has disbursed more than $100 billion since it was co-founded by Microsoft Founder Bill Gates and Melinda Gates in 2000.

Originally, the foundation was set to close 20 years after Gate’s death.

“I have decided to give my money back to society much faster than I had originally planned,” Gates, 69, wrote in a statement.

“I will give away virtually all my wealth through the Gates Foundation over the next 20 years to the cause of saving and improving lives around the world,” he added.

Credit: Bloomberg

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Peter Obi’s Comparison of Nigeria’s Educational System With Bangladesh, Turkiye

Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas of development and in the Human Development Index (HDI).

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Peter Obi wrote on his X( Twitter) : “I just came across the official results from JAMB showing the recent exam figures.

In the data shared by JAMB, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the exam.

Shockingly, out of this number, only about 420,000 candidates scored above 200, while over 1.5 million scored below 200.

This means that over 78% of the total candidates failed to meet the 200-mark threshold — a reflection of the deep-rooted challenges in our educational system.

The latest JAMB results once again highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy.

Currently, Nigeria’s total university enrollment stands at approximately 2 million students.

By comparison, the National University of Bangladesh — a single university — has over 3.4 million students enrolled, despite the country having only about 75% of Nigeria’s population.

One university in Bangladesh surpasses the entire university enrollment in Nigeria.

Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas of development and in the Human Development Index (HDI).

Similarly, Turkey (now Turkiye), with a population of about 87.7 million people, has over 7 million university students — more than three times Nigeria’s total university enrollment.

I have consistently said it: education is not just a social service; it is a strategic investment.

It is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty.

We must now invest aggressively in education — at all levels — if we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria.”

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