The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has set up a committee to coordinate the planning and delivery of activities marking its 60th anniversary.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Institute’s National Public Relations Secretary, Dr. Chiahemba Nor, who noted that the committee was officially inaugurated by the National President, Tpl Dr Ogbonna Chime. During the inauguration, the president urged members of the committee to demonstrate dedication and commitment in order to ensure a successful and memorable celebration.
According to the statement, the Institute, which was founded in April 1966, is celebrating six decades of impactful contributions to the profession of town planning, a milestone regarded as worthy of nationwide recognition. To effectively deliver the anniversary programme, a national organising committee chaired by Tpl Dr. Moses Ogunleye has been constituted. The committee has been assigned responsibilities including coordinating and promoting anniversary activities, managing publicity, producing documentaries that capture the Institute’s history, and showcasing its achievements in urban and regional planning across Nigeria.
Dr. Ogunleye assured that work on the anniversary has commenced in earnest, with the grand finale scheduled to hold during the Institute’s International Conference and Annual General Meeting later in the year in Lagos. He explained that a series of events have been lined up to run from April through October, culminating in the conference and AGM.
Planned activities include anniversary lectures, the release of a commemorative publication titled “NITP at 60,” as well as visits to key institutions that played foundational roles in training professional town planners in Nigeria. These institutions include The Polytechnic Ibadan in the western region, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the eastern region, and Kaduna Polytechnic in the northern region. In addition, courtesy visits will be paid to notable traditional rulers across the country as part of the celebration.
Providing historical context, Dr. Ogunleye traced the origin of the Institute to 1966, when Pa S. O. Tokun and eight other pioneer planners held their first meeting in Ibadan. This gathering laid the groundwork for the formation of the professional body, which later held its inaugural meeting on September 5, 1966, at the Lagos Executive Development Board. At that time, a provisional Executive Council was established with Dr. T.M. Aluko serving as secretary, alongside notable founding members such as Chief M. O. Onafowokan and Chief M. O. Abiose.
He further highlighted that in 1988, the Institute played a key advocacy role leading to the enactment of Decree No. 3 by the Federal Military Government, which regulates planning practice in Nigeria and is widely known as the TOPREC Law. The Institute later received formal legal recognition through the Urban and Regional Planning Law, Act 88 of December 1992, and its current legal framework is captured under CAP 138 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Over the years, the NITP has made significant contributions to national policy development in areas such as housing, land administration, environmental management, climate change, infrastructure development, urban governance, waste management, and urban renewal. The Institute has also been instrumental in the preparation of comprehensive master plans for communities, regions, and educational campuses across the country.
In terms of capacity building, the NITP has consistently advocated for the establishment of planning schools in both polytechnics and universities, as well as the creation of various planning agencies nationwide.
Dr. Ogunleye emphasized that the 60th anniversary represents a major milestone that will be celebrated across state capitals, local government areas, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He added that the event promises to be a vibrant and memorable celebration of the Institute’s legacy and achievements.