The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) of the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening international cooperation in urban and regional planning and addressing the growing challenges facing cities worldwide.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Secretary of the NITP, Dr. Chiahemba Nor, the agreement, signed recently, marks a historic development in the long-standing relationship between the two professional bodies, both institutions play influential roles in shaping planning policy and practice within their respective jurisdictions and beyond.
The MoU formalises years of collaboration and opens a new chapter of structured engagement focused on knowledge exchange, professional development and global best practices.
Under the MoU, NITP and RTPI will collaborate in areas including the exchange of ideas and expertise, mutual participation in conferences and professional programmes, and the facilitation of study visits between both institutions. The partnership is designed to strengthen capacity among planners, particularly in response to rapid urbanisation, climate change, sustainability concerns and infrastructure pressures confronting towns and cities across the world.
A key component of the agreement is the promotion of awareness around professional membership pathways in both institutions, enabling planners to better understand opportunities for career advancement and cross-border professional recognition. The MoU also provides for the sharing of information on continuing professional development (CPD) frameworks, standards and best practices, with plans to explore co-branding selected NITP events in Nigeria as RTPI Core CPD activities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Tpl Helen Fadipe, MBE, emphasised the importance of international collaboration in addressing global development challenges.
She noted that, “Complex urban issues require shared learning and collective action that transcend national boundaries.”
On his part, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tpl Dr Andrew Ogbonna Chime, FNITP, described the MoU as timely and strategic for the planning profession in Nigeria.
He said the, “Partnership would significantly benefit young Nigerian planners by exposing them to global best practices, enhancing their skills and strengthening professional standards through sustained exchange of ideas, practice and experience.”
The agreement builds on the long history of interaction between NITP and RTPI through their membership of the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), a platform that has facilitated collaboration, research, policy dialogue and capacity building among planners across the Commonwealth over the years.
The MoU, which will run until December 31, 2030, provides for annual reviews to assess progress and sustain momentum. It is voluntary and non-financial, founded on mutual respect, confidentiality and goodwill. Both institutions say the partnership represents a renewed commitment to advancing excellence, innovation and sustainability in planning practice, while strengthening the capacity of professionals to respond effectively to the demands of modern urban development.