The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, has committed to a comprehensive review and full implementation of Nigeria's 1992 Urban and Regional Development Law, which has remained largely unimplemented for over three decades. Darma made this pledge during a courtesy visit by members of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), led by its President, Ogbonna Chime, at the ministry in Abuja.
Collaborative Review and Urban Renewal
The minister stated that the review would be conducted in collaboration with the Regional Development Ministry to ensure the law achieves full implementation and supports effective physical planning, urban renewal, and sustainable development across the country. He reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to transforming informal settlements into more dignified and liveable communities, describing urban renewal and slum upgrading as top priorities of the current administration.
Darma identified several communities across Nigeria requiring urgent intervention, including Makoko, Gishiri, and other informal settlements in Kano and Port Harcourt. According to him, the ministry's forthcoming urban development policy will prioritize upgrading such communities to improve living conditions and make them more habitable for residents.
Local Content and Capacity Building
On local content development, the minister reiterated the government's commitment to engaging indigenous consultants for projects in the built environment sector. He noted that this policy aims to boost employment, strengthen local expertise, and enhance professional capacity. Darma revealed that the ministry has already trained about 2,000 individuals in skills related to the built environment, and these young people are applying their knowledge across Nigeria.
Addressing manpower shortages within the ministry and the wider built environment sector, Darma urged professionals and public servants to embrace innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that technology will increasingly shape the future of work. He emphasized that AI will not replace professionals who understand and effectively deploy technology, encouraging continuous learning and upskilling among practitioners.
Funding and Strategic Planning
In response to requests for improved funding for professional bodies, the minister advised stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to sustain their operations and professional activities. He also invited the institute to submit additional recommendations and technical input for consideration in the ministry's forthcoming strategic development plan.
Earlier, NITP President Ogbonna Chime said the visit aimed to formally welcome the minister and reaffirm the institute's readiness to support the ministry in achieving its mandate. Chime appealed to the minister to sustain efforts toward full implementation of the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law, describing it as critical to effective physical planning, orderly urban growth, and sustainable development in Nigeria. He also called for greater attention to urban development initiatives, increased engagement of indigenous town planning consultants for government projects, replacement of retired town planners and other built environment professionals in the ministry, and improved funding for regulatory bodies in the sector. Chime further invited the minister to the institute's 60th anniversary celebration and 57th International Conference scheduled for Lagos in October this year.
