As the landmark 20th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS 2026) kicked off at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Tpl. Dr. Ogbonna Chime, FNITP, delivered a powerful goodwill message, calling for deeper research collaborations and a revolutionary 10% land reservation policy to address the global housing deficit for the urban poor.
Describing the annual gathering as the “African version of the World Urban Forum,” Dr. Chime extended warm congratulations to the organizers for reaching a two-decade milestone. He praised the AIHS for evolving into the continent’s premier platform for fostering dialogue, strategic partnerships, and investment aimed at transforming Africa’s housing landscape.
Dr. Chime highlighted the severe compounding pressures facing African cities today, including rapid urbanization, massive housing deficits, climate change, and growing social inequalities.
He emphasized that solving these complex challenges requires far more than just financial investment; it demands sound spatial planning, efficient land administration, and strong multi-disciplinary collaboration.
“As professionals charged with guiding the orderly and sustainable development of human settlements, town planners remain central to creating inclusive, resilient, safe, healthy, and economically vibrant communities,” Dr. Chime stated, reaffirming the NITP’s commitment to supporting sustainable urban development.
While celebrating the achievements of the AIHS over the last 20 years, the NITP President urged organizers to pivot toward active collaborations with researchers. He noted that such partnerships should practically translate the annual event’s discussions into tangible outcomes, such as cheaper raw building materials and improved urban design policies that accommodate lower-income earners.
In a major policy advocacy move, Dr. Chime reiterated a groundbreaking proposal originally advanced by the NITP at the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan:
“10% of every development plan, prepared anywhere in the world should be exclusively reserved for the urban poor under a special arrangement for implementation.”
He explained that because the urban poor represent the group most vulnerable to housing deprivation globally, securing urban space specifically for them is the most direct pathway to reducing the global housing deficit and ensuring overall urban security.
Dr. Chime concluded his address by expressing optimism that the partnerships and resolutions forged during the historic five-day event would significantly strengthen housing policies and expand investment opportunities across Nigeria and the wider African continent.