The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called for stronger collaboration with the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to enhance national infrastructure planning and expand employment opportunities for professional town planners across the country.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the NITP National President, Dr. Chime Ogbonna, and members of the institute’s leadership to the Executive Chairman of the FCC, Mrs. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Ogbonna said both institutions share a common goal of promoting balanced national development.
He explained that while the NITP prepares national physical development plans, regional development plans and urban master plans, the FCC is responsible for ensuring the equitable distribution of public infrastructure and opportunities across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
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He urged the Commission to strengthen its capacity by recruiting more town planners and engaging consultant planners to provide technical guidance on the siting of major government projects.
According to him, the involvement of professional town planners would ensure that public infrastructure aligns with approved development plans, improves service delivery, and promotes orderly physical development nationwide.
Ogbonna also expressed concern over reports that; positions designated for town planners in some public institutions were being filled by professionals from other disciplines, calling for greater recognition of the profession in government recruitment.
Responding, FCC Executive Chairman Hulayat Omidiran welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with the NITP.
She acknowledged the institute’s technical expertise and said the Commission would benefit from professional guidance in aligning infrastructure projects with existing master plans and national development frameworks.
Omidiran noted that the FCC values engagement with professional bodies whose expertise contributes to national development, adding that effective planning and institutional collaboration remain critical to sustainable growth as Nigeria’s cities and communities continue to expand.
The Executive Chairman received the delegation in the presence of FCC Commissioners representing Taraba and Lagos states.
The NITP delegation included the Second National Vice President, Tpl. Dr. Garba Jibrin; National Secretary, Tpl. Dr. Zayyanu Muhammad; Chairman of the NITP Presidential Committee on Youth Employment and Immediate Past Chairman of the FCT Chapter, Tpl. PK Lami Ayuba; Committee Secretary and former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Institute, Tpl. Okechukwu Ozougwu; Acting Executive Secretary, Tpl. Jide Bananola; and representatives of the Young Planners Forum of the FCT Chapter.
