The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called on the Anambra State Government to urgently formulate a comprehensive Urban and Regional Development Plan for the entire state, alongside detailed master plans for major urban centers.
The Institute also emphasized the need to recruit and train more professional town planners to manage the state’s fast-growing urbanization and avert a looming land and infrastructure crisis.
The call was made by the National President of NITP, Tpl. Dr. Ogbonna Chime, during the opening ceremony of the 26th Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP), jointly hosted by the NITP and the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC). The two-day event, themed “Developing New Frontiers for Improved Physical Planning Practice in Nigeria,” was held in Awka, Anambra State.
Dr. Chime expressed concern over the limited number of town planners employed by the Anambra State Government, despite the state’s rapid urban growth. He warned that Anambra is on the verge of becoming a “one-city state,” where urban sprawl and poor land management could trigger widespread socio-economic and environmental issues if not urgently addressed.
“Anambra is gradually becoming like Lagos, where it’s difficult to distinguish one community from another due to rapid urban expansion,” Chime said. “But unlike Lagos, Anambra lacks the institutional planning frameworks to manage such growth.”
He urged the state to fully implement the 1992 Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law, describing it as a key solution for sustainable urban development. Chime cited Lagos as a success story for its early domestication of the law, which enabled it to effectively manage urban pressures and prevent the proliferation of slums.
“Without proper planning and adequate staffing of professional town planners, Anambra will face significant challenges,” he warned. “Now is the time to invest in training planners and encouraging young people to study Urban and Regional Planning, so we’re not caught unprepared in the near future.”
Chime also advocated for stronger collaboration between the government and traditional institutions to prevent potential land-related conflicts.
Representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the event, Anambra State Commissioner for Lands, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, pledged the state government’s continued collaboration with urban planning professionals. He emphasized the central role of town planners in the administration’s developmental agenda.
“Urban regeneration projects and the planned development of new cities in Awka and Onitsha cannot succeed without the expertise of town planners,” Amucheazi stated. “Though there’s currently an employment embargo, once lifted, more town planners will be engaged.”
He highlighted the state’s ongoing projects such as the Anambra Geographic Information System (ANAMGIS), which supports Governor Soludo’s vision of a liveable, prosperous, and well-organized state.
Dr. Meshach Ojile from Niger Delta University presented a paper on the importance of environmental compliance in the oil and gas industry, urging planners to adopt best practices, especially regarding Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for major projects.
Tpl. Dr. Daniel Adamu of Nasarawa State University stressed the need for synergy between government agencies and political leadership to enhance project delivery. He described inter-agency collaboration not as a sign of weakness, but as a strategic necessity for effective governance.
Tpl. Dr. Joachin Ulasi, former Anambra State NITP Chairman, emphasized the importance of ICT integration in planning practices and praised the quality of presentations at the event.
“The shift from master plans to participatory structure plans is the direction planning is taking globally. Governor Soludo is doing well, but a comprehensive structure plan for the entire state is urgently needed,” Uasi said.
Also speaking, National Chairperson of the Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria (ANTPN), Tpl. Rakiya Ahuoiza Fache, called for greater inclusion of women in urban planning decision-making.
“We urge the Anambra State Government to collaborate more with women professionals. Inclusive planning is crucial for sustainable development at both the state and national levels,” she said.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by NITP First National Vice President, Tpl. Prof. Kingsley Ogboi, who commended Governor Soludo for his administration’s planning reforms.
MCPDP Chairman, Tpl. Dr. Osunsanmi Gbolabo, closed the conference by acknowledging the value of shared knowledge and skills during the sessions.
“Participants are the heartbeat of this programme. We’ll take the insights gained here back to our communities and apply them to shape a more sustainable built environment,” he said.
The conference wrapped up with syndicate group sessions and the presentation of certificates to participants.
Oyenike Oyeniyi