The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has attributed the persistent cases of building collapse across Nigeria to the federal government’s failure to implement the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law enacted in 1992.
The National President of NITP, Dr. Ogbonna Chime, made this known during a 2025 leadership training programme held in Awka, Anambra State, with the theme “Leaders’ Role in Promoting Urban Planning Profession and Its Administration.”
Dr. Chime emphasised that the 1992 law, developed indigenously by Nigerian professionals, contains comprehensive provisions capable of eliminating many causes of structural failure and ensuring a safer built environment.
He described the law as a significant improvement over the outdated 1946 colonial legislation, which prioritised the interests of the colonial government over national development.
Highlighting the critical reforms embedded in the 1992 law, Dr. Chime noted that it empowers qualified town planners to lead planning authorities at the local level, with structured inclusion of other building professionals, such as architects, quantity surveyors, estate managers, and civil engineers on planning boards at the state level.
This, he said, ensures multidisciplinary oversight in planning approvals and construction monitoring.
He asserted that if the law had been implemented nationwide, especially in areas with stable geophysical conditions, the frequency of building collapse incidents would have been significantly reduced or eliminated.
“When professionals work together under clear legal frameworks, risks are minimised and standards are maintained,” he said.
Dr. Chime also dismissed recent allegations suggesting that NITP members collude with developers to use substandard materials.
“No trained town planner who understands the ethics of the profession would involve themselves in such unethical conduct,” he maintained.
He commended the recent establishment of a task force by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to address the menace of building collapse. However, he insisted that implementing the 1992 planning law remains the most sustainable solution.
“The tools are there; what is lacking is political will,” he added.
The leadership training, he explained, is part of NITP’s continuous professional development efforts aimed at addressing internal misunderstandings and promoting unity within the Institute.
“We noticed that many disputes among members arise from ignorance about the Institute’s constitution and structure. That’s why we initiated this training across the Eastern, Northern, and Western zones,” he said.
Tpl. Nathaniel Atebije, in his presentation on “Ethical Leadership for National and State Executives of NITP,” emphasized that ethics must remain the foundation of leadership within the Institute.
He said ethical leadership enhances public trust, accountability, and credibility, and urged members to lead by example.
“By consistently upholding ethical standards, NITP can become a model for other professional bodies and indeed, the entire Nigerian society,” he said.
Other speakers stressed the importance of the NITP Constitution and Conventions, calling them the compass for effective governance within the Institute.
In his remarks, the Anambra State Chairman of NITP, Tpl. Nwofor Ben described the event as a strategic forum for stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues affecting urban planning and propose solutions that would benefit the broader society.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Vice Chairman of the Anambra State Chapter, Tpl. Ifeanyi Igwilo reiterated the importance of continuous education within the profession.
“Urban planning is dynamic, with constant innovations. Events like this allow us to share knowledge, track emerging trends, and plan strategically for the future,” he said.