The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has urged the Federal Government to involve professional town planners in implementing its regional development policy to close infrastructure gaps, address regional inequalities, and promote balanced economic growth across Nigeria.
The National President of the NITP, Tpl. Dr Chime Andrew Ogbonna made the call in a statement ahead of the institute’s 57th International Conference, scheduled for October 26 to 30, 2026, in Lagos State.
Chime said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development presented an opportunity to strengthen coordinated development nationwide, stressing that professional expertise in urban and regional planning was essential to translating the government’s policy objectives into tangible results.
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“There is no way that the purpose can be achieved without the involvement and use of urban and regional planning practitioners in the country,” he said.
The conference, themed “Shaping the Future of Regional Development Through Physical Planning”, will bring together policymakers, planning professionals and international delegates to examine strategies for coordinating infrastructure development, narrowing regional disparities and building sustainable communities.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to attend as guest of honour, alongside state governors and representatives of relevant federal ministries. Professor Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
International Exchange
Representatives of planning institutions in Canada, Uganda and Ghana, and professionals from Cameroon are also expected to participate, providing opportunities to exchange international experiences and explore practical approaches to strengthening regional development planning in Nigeria.
Chime said Lagos was a significant venue because the institute’s inaugural meeting was held in the city on September 5, 1966.
The 2026 event will also feature activities marking the institute’s 60th anniversary, commemorating six decades of professional town planning in Nigeria.
