Town planners have been urged to master property market dynamics and position themselves to create cities that are not only orderly but also prosperous. The Senior Partner at Samson Agbato Consulting, Dr Samson Agbator, made this call at the 2026 Professional Development Workshop titled “Mastering Urban Property Market Dynamics” and the induction of 35 new firms. The event was organized by the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) in Ikeja, Lagos.
Agbator argued that planning consultants must integrate property market analysis into their professional toolkit, noting that development plans, zoning reviews, and infrastructure proposals have direct market implications that should be assessed routinely. Represented by Olalekan Aboderin, he explained that any planner who cannot interpret market cycles or explain the value implications of zoning changes is operating below the industry’s required standard.
He further stressed that planners must engage with the informal sector, noting that the perceived divide between formal and informal land markets in Nigerian cities is misleading. Both systems are deeply interconnected, and planning interventions that ignore informal market dynamics are likely to fail. “Participatory planning approaches that engage customary rights holders, Omo-Onile communities, and informal settlers are not just ethical imperatives; they are practical necessities for viable planning outcomes,” he said.
Agbator added that planners must adopt smart tools such as GIS to plan effectively, invest wisely, and build resilient environments. They must also engage with the legal framework of land administration, particularly the Land Use Act, and its implications for compulsory acquisition, revocation, and compensation. He identified emerging infrastructure corridors, such as the Lagos Coastal Highway, Abuja satellite town connections, and Port Harcourt industrial corridors, as significant growth opportunities for the next decade. Planning consultants who can anticipate corridor development patterns and advise clients on strategic land positioning will deliver the highest professional value.
Nigeria’s urban property market is one of the most dynamic and complex in Africa, driven by rapid population growth, the 1978 Land Use Act, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Despite a housing deficit estimated between 16 and 28 million units, limited mortgage financing, and high construction costs, the market remains an attractive investment space.
ATOPCON President Hakeem Badejo said planners are uniquely positioned to advise clients on property investments with the best return on investment. While a layperson focuses on land affordability, a planner evaluates zoning regulations and development potential. “We understand that a property zoned for high-density mixed-use development has significantly higher value and ROI potential than land restricted to low-density agricultural use,” he said. He emphasized due diligence, including obtaining Certified True Copies of surveys, Approved Building Plans, Certificates of Occupancy, and Development Permits. Badejo warned that planners must guide clients away from high-risk areas like flood-prone zones and locations facing zoning downgrades or title disputes.
Nigerian Institute of Town Planners President Dr Ogbonna Chime noted that urban structure determines physical development, and proper infrastructure creates competitive market conditions. Dr Okesoto Oyebamiji, Chief Lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, highlighted zoning’s role in determining property values. “When planning and zoning regulations are applied effectively, they create a framework that influences land use, density, and development potential, generating significant economic and social value,” he said. He called for urgent reforms to improve land governance and ensure sustainable urban development.
Earlier, ATOPCON Lagos Chapter Chairman Bello Akinwale urged professionals to continually update their knowledge and embrace innovative techniques for effective planning solutions.
