The National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has intensified efforts toward a successful celebration of the Institute’s 60th anniversary with a courtesy visit to the Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, one of the most historic institutions in the development of urban and regional planning education in Nigeria and West Africa.
During the visit, the NITP President described the engagement as more than a routine courtesy call, noting that it was an opportunity to pay homage to an institution that played a pioneering role in the training of professional town planners in the country. He emphasized that the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at The Polytechnic, Ibadan holds a unique place in history as the first of its kind not only in Nigeria but across West Africa.
The Rector, who warmly received the delegation, expressed delight over the visit and the recognition accorded to the institution by the professional body. The NITP President told his host that the Institute holds the Polytechnic in high esteem because many of the earliest Nigerian-trained town planners began their professional journey at the institution.
He specifically highlighted the contributions of notable figures in the profession, including the late Past President of the Institute, Remi Makinde, FNITP, and Tpl. Waheed Kadiri, FNITP, a former President of the Institute, as among the distinguished professionals whose roots could be traced to the Polytechnic.
As part of activities marking the Institute’s 60th anniversary, the President formally invited the Rector to attend the NITP Founders’ Symposium scheduled to hold in Ibadan on June 18, 2026. He also appealed to the institution’s management to support professional development within its workforce by sponsoring all town planners in its employment to participate in the forthcoming 57th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Institute, slated for Lagos in October.
Responding, the Rector expressed appreciation to the NITP President and members of his entourage for the visit. He commended the Institute for its commitment to advancing the planning profession and assured the delegation that deserving members of staff would be considered for sponsorship to attend the international conference and AGM.
The President was accompanied on the visit by the Chairman of the NITP @60 Anniversary Celebration Committee, Tpl. Dr. Moses Ogunleye, FNITP, the Chairman of the Oyo State Chapter of the Institute, as well as several Fellows and members from the chapter. The Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Tpl. Dr. Kola Lawal, joined the Rector in receiving the visitors.
Following the meeting with the institution’s management, the NITP President proceeded to interact with final-year students of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. The engagement provided the students with an opportunity to gain insights into the profession, the activities of the Institute, and the future prospects available to aspiring town planners.
The visit formed part of ongoing stakeholder engagements aimed at strengthening collaboration between academic institutions and professional bodies while building momentum ahead of the Institute’s landmark 60th anniversary celebrations.