Professional planners have called for a shift in Nigeria's approach to economic transformation, moving from crisis management to deliberate, productivity-led growth. This call was made at the Annual Planners Conference of the Institute of Planning, Nigeria (IPN) in Abuja. The conference had the theme: “Resilient and Purpose-Driven Planning for Economic Transformation: Navigating Nigeria’s Current Realities.” The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Richard Mayungbe.
According to Prof. Mayungbe, Nigeria's economic transformation depends on policymakers and institutions translating national aspirations into practical programs, measurable outcomes, and sustainable development. While recent economic indicators show encouraging signs, aggregate growth alone is insufficient to guarantee improved living standards for Nigerians. The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is working on the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2026–2030, aiming for a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and upper-middle-income status by 2050.
Mayungbe noted that the significance of the development plan lies in its ability to create a disciplined system linking national objectives to sector priorities, budgets, institutions, implementation, and measurable results. The critical question for planners is whether growth can translate into increased productivity, jobs, investment, competitiveness, and improved welfare. Inflation must also be viewed beyond its macroeconomic implications, as rising prices directly affect household purchasing power and business planning.
The keynote speaker outlined a 10-point agenda for transforming Nigeria's planning architecture. This includes making plans results-based, integrating plans with budgets, and institutionalizing risk and scenario planning. Other points include developing interoperable planning data systems, strengthening project appraisal, and placing productivity at the center of sectoral plans. Mayungbe also emphasized the need to protect human-capital investments, use AI responsibly, and institutionalize monitoring and learning.
Dr. McCarthy Ijiebor, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Planning Nigeria, said the conference aimed to reposition professional planning as a critical instrument for Nigeria's economic transformation. Ijiebor noted that Nigeria is at a defining crossroads, citing the impact of fuel subsidy reforms, foreign exchange reforms, and rising business costs. He lamented that professional planners have been sidelined in policy formulation, resulting in policy documents lacking empirical foundations and clear implementation roadmaps.
Ijiebor advocated for a planning framework that is data-driven, bottom-up, flexible, adaptive, and implementable, with clear key performance indicators and mechanisms for accountability. The IPN president urged members to develop practical strategies for building resilient organizations and executable national and sub-national development frameworks. The conference also provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among professional planners, government institutions, academia, and the private sector.
The Registrar of IPN, Mrs. Gbadamosi Judith, called on members to renew their commitment to evidence-based planning, stressing that sound data and research are essential to building a productive, inclusive, and resilient Nigerian economy. The conference featured 24 newly inducted Fellows and aimed to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. The Institute of Planning Nigeria has 21 specialized faculties, including Strategic Management, Project Planning, Health, Education, and Corporate Planning.
Key points
- Professional planners in Nigeria are advocating for a purpose-driven approach to economic transformation.
- The proposed approach aims to move Nigeria from crisis management to deliberate, productivity-led growth.
- The Medium-Term National Development Plan 2026–2030 targets a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and upper-middle-income status by 2050.
