Amid growing concerns over slums, congestion, and informal settlements in Nigeria’s urban landscape, leading town planners and estate developers gathered for a two-day workshop in Abeokuta to explore sustainable urban and regional development.
Organized by the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), the event centered on the theme: “The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Urban and Regional Planning: Challenges and Opportunities.”
Keynote speakers, including Ambassador (Dr) Babatunde Adeyemo, CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, emphasized the crucial role of government in enforcing building guidelines and providing essential infrastructure.
Discussants expressed alarm over the transformation of places like Allen Avenue in Ikeja and Admiralty Way in Lekki, which have shifted from serene residential areas to bustling commercial hubs due to insufficient government oversight.
In Ogun State, the Mowe and Ibafo corridors were highlighted as areas that have transformed into substantial slums, despite calls for proper planning dating back decades. Attendees stressed the need for regulatory frameworks that facilitate development while deterring haphazard growth.
Tpl. Bisi Adedire, ATOPCON President, pointed to the burdens of multiple taxes on land as a challenge for property developers, calling for reforms that would ease the financial pressure on stakeholders. He warned against the government undermining its own regulations, citing instances of land grab by officials, which erodes trust in the planning system.
Adeyemo called for realistic implementation of land acquisition processes and essential services, urging authorities to prioritize strategic development. He criticized the current approach to land acquisition as shortsighted and detrimental to future growth.
Tpl. (Prof) Muyiwa Agunbiade, from the University of Lagos, highlighted the tension surrounding land ownership, accusing the government of land appropriation practices that contribute to societal unrest. He advocated for digital solutions to improve planning efficiency, lamenting the government’s slow transition to modern practices.
Estate surveyor Odunayo Ojo underscored the necessity of orderly governance for a thriving private sector in real estate, stressing that successful implementation of building regulations hinges on active government participation.
In response, Tpl. Abiodun Adewole, Senior Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Urban & Regional Planning, acknowledged the government’s struggle with infrastructure deficits and informal settlements. He urged citizens to adhere to planning regulations for the greater good.
Contributing to the discussion, Oluwole Sotire, a permanent secretary in Lagos State’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, reiterated the government’s duty to provide services while emphasizing the importance of citizen compliance with tax obligations.
The workshop concluded with a unified call for comprehensive, equitable urban planning that prioritizes the interests of citizens and addresses the challenges of Nigeria’s evolving urban landscape.
