Effective Planning Key to Addressing Nigeria's Housing, Urban Challenges — NITP

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners has called for stronger collaboration among governments, communities, urban professionals, and stakeholders to address Nigeria's growing housing crisis, urban decay, and infrastructure challenges. President of NITP, Prof. Kingsley Ogboi, emphasised that sustainable and liveable communities can only be achieved through effective urban planning, inclusive development policies, and collective efforts to build resilient cities. This call was made in a message marking the 2026 World Town Planning Day.

Ogboi highlighted the critical role of planners in shaping cities and communities through sound policies, development plans, and effective development control. He noted that planners are drivers of city development through their policies, plans, and development control instruments, and that the profession must take greater responsibility for shaping the country's urban future. The 2026 celebration marks the 77th edition of World Town Planning Day, focusing on collaborative planning, social equity, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the New Urban Agenda.

The theme of the 2026 World Town Planning Day, “Great Communities Are Built on Planning: Together We Deliver, Together We Thrive, Together We Sustain,” highlights the need for planners to facilitate partnerships and inclusive processes capable of addressing interconnected social, environmental, economic, technological, and demographic challenges. Ogboi linked this year's celebration to the 2026 World Cities Day theme, “Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All,” which emphasises the importance of urban regeneration in addressing housing shortages, ageing infrastructure, and growing social inequalities.

According to Ogboi, the global housing challenge requires integrated approaches that combine affordable housing delivery with improvements in infrastructure, public spaces, connectivity, and climate resilience. Urban regeneration must be participatory and community-led, with safeguards to prevent displacement and ensure that existing residents benefit from improvements in their neighbourhoods. These challenges reinforce the need for effective planning systems that can expand access to adequate housing while promoting inclusive and sustainable urban development.

Sustainable Development Goal 11 seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, which is closely connected with the mandate of UN-Habitat and the global commitment to improve housing access, strengthen urban planning, reduce inequalities, and build climate-resilient communities. Ogboi urged Nigerian planners to promote the value of their profession and demonstrate how sound planning can create healthier, more prosperous, and sustainable communities.

Dr. David Olawale, Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NITP, emphasised that orderly and sustainable urban growth is essential for the future of Lagos State. He noted that thriving neighbourhoods are products of deliberate foresight by town planners who map out roads, drainage, schools, hospitals, and open spaces before development takes place. Olawale urged authorities to implement Master Plans, Model City Plans, and District Plans, and ensure firm and fair development control to bridge the gap between world-class estates and heavily challenged informal settlements.

Olawale advised developers and landowners to build responsibly, obtain proper planning approvals, and respect existing layouts, warning that unapproved buildings pose serious risks to lives and communities. He encouraged professionals to uphold high ethical standards, refuse to compromise integrity for short-term gains, and continue advocating for safe, planned communities for all residents. “Great communities do not fall from heaven; they are designed, planned, and built,” Olawale said.

Key points

• Effective urban planning and collaboration among stakeholders are crucial to addressing Nigeria's housing crisis and urban challenges.
• The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners emphasises the need for inclusive and sustainable urban development to achieve resilient cities.
• Urban regeneration must be participatory and community-led to ensure that existing residents benefit from improvements in their neighbourhoods.