The newly elected Chairperson of the Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria (AWTPN), Lagos State Chapter, Mrs. Yemisi Alaka, has announced a five-point agenda aimed at driving growth, professionalism, and gender inclusiveness in the town planning profession. She made the announcement during her official investiture ceremony, which was well attended by professionals, academics, and dignitaries in the urban planning sector.
Alaka, who now leads the Lagos State chapter of the association, said she is fully committed to promoting the interests of women in town planning and ensuring that their voices are heard at all levels of policy-making and urban development.
In her speech, Alaka stated, “With the collaboration of all of us, I promise, as the chairperson, to promote professional development and capacity building for our members, and to advocate for policies and programmes that support women’s participation in town planning.”
She outlined her key priorities for the new administration, which include building the skills of women professionals, advocating inclusive urban development policies, fostering collaboration with stakeholders, promoting transparency and good governance within the association, and upholding professionalism and inclusiveness.
“I will foster partnerships and collaborations with government agencies, the private sector, academia, organisations, and civil society groups to advance our goal. I will also ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance in our association,” she said.
Alaka further stressed the importance of professionalism and inclusiveness, stating that these values would be the foundation of her leadership. She invited all members of the association to support the vision and share their ideas and experience for the collective growth of the organisation.
“I hereby call on all members to join me and my team on this journey. Please feel free to share your ideas, your expertise, and your passion with us,” she added.
The investiture event featured a keynote lecture by Professor Yusuf Olabisi from Lagos State University, who spoke on the theme ‘Women Town Planners: Building Inclusive and Resilient Communities – A Gender Sensitive Approach to Urban Development’. He emphasised the need for women to take active roles in shaping Nigeria’s urban environments and called for policies that reflect the needs of all members of society, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Professor Olabisi highlighted how town planning can benefit from more diverse perspectives, especially from women who bring unique insights into community development, sustainability, and resilience.
Yemisi Alaka’s emergence as chairperson comes at a time when Nigeria’s urban centres are facing increasing challenges such as population growth, infrastructure pressure, housing shortages, and climate change. Her leadership is expected to drive more female participation in addressing these issues through inclusive and sustainable planning approaches.
The Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria plays a key role in promoting the participation of women in the male-dominated field of urban and regional planning. Through capacity building, mentorship, advocacy, and partnerships, the group empowers women professionals to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s urban development agenda.
Alaka’s five-point agenda reflects a clear vision for growth and inclusion, and her commitment to transparency and accountability is expected to set the tone for a new era in the Lagos chapter of the association.
Members of the association have expressed optimism about the new leadership and pledged their support to the chairperson’s administration. Many believe that with active participation, policy advocacy, and strong leadership, the association will continue to play a vital role in shaping urban planning policy in Lagos and across Nigeria.
