Ibadan, Nigeria — Town planners in Nigeria have been urged to move beyond purely technical responsibilities and actively engage with political structures to promote sustainable urban governance.
This call was made by Opeyemi Ojo, Western Region Coordinator of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners–Young Planners’ Forum, during the maiden Western Forum Retreat of the institute’s young planners held in Ibadan.
Ojo stressed that urban planning is deeply intertwined with political systems, noting that decisions on land use, development control, and urban policies are influenced by governance structures.
“Planning does not occur in a vacuum,” she said. “As young planners, we must move beyond traditional professional boundaries and understand, engage with, and ethically influence political dynamics.”
The retreat, themed “Politics and Planning: Young Planners and the Advancement of Sustainable Urban Governance,” served as a platform to examine the relationship between governance and urban development.
Ojo described the gathering as a call to action for emerging professionals to position themselves as key contributors to policy formulation and urban transformation. She emphasized the need for planners to champion transparency, promote evidence-based decision-making, and prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term political interests.
Also speaking, Mayowa Abiala, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in Oyo State, described the theme as critical to national development. He reiterated that politics and planning are inseparable and encouraged members to actively participate in political processes.
Abiala further called for support for professionals seeking political office, noting that their presence among policymakers would enhance efforts toward creating sustainable environments.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the NITP National President, Chime Ogbonna, Abiala commended young planners for their contributions to advancing the profession, particularly in addressing challenges in both urban and rural areas.
In his keynote address, Alfred Komolafe, a former Commissioner for the Social Development Commission in Wisconsin, USA, underscored the importance of integrating town planners early into policy frameworks. He attributed many urban challenges—including flooding, traffic congestion, and housing deficits—to the exclusion of planners from early decision-making processes.
Komolafe emphasized that governance, politics, and planning must work in tandem to effectively tackle Nigeria’s urban issues.
Meanwhile, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, Oyo State Commissioner for Land, Housing and Urban Development, lamented the deterioration of well-planned environments established during the colonial era and under Obafemi Awolowo. He noted that such areas have increasingly been distorted by incompatible developments such as nightclubs and event centres.
Akin-Funmilayo also urged senior professionals to mentor younger planners and instill strong ethical standards to help them uphold best practices in the field.
The event featured panel discussions on national development issues, goodwill messages, and networking sessions involving professionals and academics, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
