The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has raised alarm over the failure of the Federal Government to establish the National Urban and Regional Planning Commission, 30 years after it was mandated by law.
NITP President, Dr Ogbonna Chime, made this known during the launch of the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy and the 70th birthday celebration of former NITP president, Nathaniel Atebije.
Chime said the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law, enacted in 1992 during the military regime, clearly provided for the creation of key institutions to guide physical development, including a national planning commission. However, he noted that the commission has not been set up, three decades later.
“In 1992, the Urban and Regional Planning Law was signed into law. This law made provision for the establishment of a National Urban and Regional Planning Commission, but till today, nothing has been done. Even in Abuja, where the law also provided for a Federal Capital Urban and Regional Planning Board, there’s still no board,” he said.
He blamed the absence of this body for the frequent flooding in many parts of the country, saying the planning commission was supposed to produce a National Physical Development Plan and a National Drainage Plan to reduce such risks.
“If that board had existed, and the right plans were made, we wouldn’t be dealing with these yearly floods. We have the professionals—engineers, architects, land surveyors—who can map out and manage water flow in this country,” he added.
Chime also criticised the government for sidelining professional town planners in decision-making.
“Too many decisions are being made without professional planners. That’s why things are failing. We’ve been shouting about this for over 20 years. Without proper planning and implementation, Nigerian cities will keep falling apart. But if we start enforcing the 1992 law, our cities can become as modern and livable as any city in the world,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Nathaniel Atebije stressed the need to enforce the existing planning laws.
“The Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992, which was amended in 2004, has not been properly implemented across the country. No state or local government has fully embraced it. And anything done without legal backing cannot stand,” he stated.
Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Adamu Ahmed, added a moral note to the discussion, saying planning should not just be about efficiency but also fairness and dignity.
“Humans are not owners of the earth but caretakers. Planning must reflect justice and human values,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Akintoye Adeoye, described housing as a basic right for all Nigerians.
“Every Nigerian deserves the dignity of having a home. Through collaboration and advocacy like we see today, we can make that dream come true,” he said.
He called on REDAN, NITP, and other stakeholders to work together to improve regulations and push for sustainable housing development.
Chairman of the event, John Abuh, also decried the state of Nigeria’s urban development, saying the country has failed to learn from past mistakes and still lacks the needed leadership to plan properly for its cities.
