Urban planning professionals across Nigeria are demanding a fundamental transformation in how the nation's cities are designed, managed, and maintained. This urgent call for change emphasizes adopting planning models that prioritize people, leverage technology, and build resilience against various urban challenges.
Symposium Highlights Urban Planning Crisis
The powerful appeal emerged during a significant one-day symposium organized by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Young Planners Forum in Oyo State, in collaboration with City Visionnaires for Urban Development. The event took place in Ibadan on November 24, 2025, forming part of activities commemorating both the 2025 World Cities Day and World Town Planning Day.
Under the theme "Empowering Urban Futures: Planning with People, Technology, and Resilience," the gathering united planners, policymakers, academics, and development practitioners. Their collective mission was to address the persistent problems of inadequate planning, insufficient infrastructure, and weak governance that have long plagued Nigerian urban centers.
Addressing Mounting Urban Pressures
As Nigerian cities confront increasing challenges from rapid urbanization, climate threats, informal settlements, and inadequate public services, the symposium highlighted the critical need for a new planning philosophy. This approach must integrate community perspectives, modern technological tools, and long-term resilience strategies to create sustainable urban environments.
During his keynote address, Olugbenga Ashiru, Board Chair of City Visionnaires for Urban Development, emphasized that inclusive planning forms the essential foundation for successful urban development. "There is no way to plan successfully for people without people's inclusiveness," he declared, urging planners to deepen their understanding of community needs while integrating emerging technologies into their planning processes.
Global Inspiration for Local Transformation
Ashiru pointed to international innovations like Saudi Arabia's The Line project and the Gulf Railway connecting five countries as exemplary models demonstrating how visionary planning combined with technological ambition can radically transform urban futures. He challenged Nigerian planners to embrace similarly bold thinking grounded in sound urban economics and responsive design principles.
Other speakers reinforced the crucial role of town planners as professional solution providers, stressing that sustainable cities cannot materialize without robust collaboration between planning professionals and government authorities. Participants urged planners to maintain exceptional standards in their practice, advocate for improved urban policies, and actively engage in governance processes, including participatory politics.
The consensus among experts was clear: Nigeria's urban future depends on immediate adoption of people-centered, technology-driven planning approaches that can withstand the tests of time and environmental challenges.
