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The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has endorsed a new regional approach to urban development adopted by Nigeria’s South West states, describing it as a major step toward coordinated growth and long-term sustainability in Nigerian cities.
This followed the inaugural South West Regional Meeting on Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos, where policymakers, development partners and urban planning professionals convened to chart a unified framework for the region.
In a statement issued by NITP Spokesperson, Chiahemba Nor to journalists, the institute’s National President, Dr Ogbonna Chime, described the initiative as “a laudable approach” to implementing Nigeria’s urban and regional planning law at a broader, regional level.
He said the proposed master plan could transform the south west into an integrated economic zone spanning agriculture, industry and commerce, while also serving as a model for other parts of the country.
According to him, the shift could redefine planning practices nationwide.
Discussions at the meeting focused on strengthening interstate collaboration to address rapid urbanisation and unlock shared economic potential.
Key priorities included coordinating land use across state boundaries, particularly between Lagos and neighbouring states, improving waste management systems, and expanding rail and multimodal transport networks.
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Participants also stressed the importance of aligning industrial development with regional logistics infrastructure, while leveraging Lagos’ strategic position as a hub for food storage and distribution across the South West.
The meeting builds on recommendations from the 2024 Lagos Physical Planning Summit, which identified regional integration as critical to developing a sustainable and interconnected megacity.
Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olumide Oluyinka, said effective urban planning cannot be pursued in isolation, emphasising the need for cross-border coordination among states.
His Ogun State counterpart, Olatunji Odunlami, highlighted the role of integrated planning in guiding growth and reviving earlier successes in regional cooperation.
Ondo State Commissioner Sunday Olajide said the region’s shared strengths could be maximised through deeper collaboration, while Oyo State Commissioner William Akin-Funmilayo noted that greater integration would accelerate urban transformation and economic expansion.
The meeting concluded with a joint commitment by stakeholders to deepen regional cooperation, harmonise policies and advance sustainable development through coordinated planning across Nigeria’s South West.