The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has intensified efforts to expand employment opportunities for professional town planners by seeking a strategic partnership with the Federal Character Commission (FCC) aimed at improving national development planning and the equitable distribution of infrastructure across the country.
This formed the centerpiece of discussions when the National President of the NITP, Dr. Chime Ogbonna, led a delegation of the Institute on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, in Abuja.
During the meeting, Dr. Ogbonna urged the Commission to strengthen collaboration with the Institute in the implementation of its constitutional mandate, noting that both organizations share a common objective of ensuring balanced development and fair distribution of resources across Nigeria.
According to him, while the NITP contributes to national development through the preparation of National Physical Development Plans, regional development plans and urban master plans, the Federal Character Commission plays a crucial role in the actual siting and distribution of public infrastructure and amenities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NITP President emphasized that effective implementation of development projects can only be achieved when infrastructure locations are guided by professionally prepared physical development plans. He therefore advocated for the employment of more town planners within the Commission to enhance its technical capacity and improve the quality of its decision-making processes.
He further appealed to the Commission to engage consultant town planners whenever it intends to develop proposals for major physical developments and infrastructure projects across the country. According to him, professional planners possess the expertise required to align government projects with approved development frameworks, thereby promoting orderly growth, environmental sustainability and maximum benefit to citizens.
Dr. Ogbonna also raised concerns over reported cases where positions designated for town planners were allegedly being allocated to professionals from other disciplines. He urged the Commission to address such issues in order to ensure that qualified town planners are given opportunities to contribute their expertise to national development.
Responding, Hon. Omidiran welcomed the NITP delegation and described the visit as both significant and timely. She acknowledged the relevance of the Institute’s proposals and assured the delegation of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with the NITP in areas that would enhance the discharge of its mandate.
The FCC Chairman agreed that the Commission could benefit greatly from the technical knowledge and professional guidance of town planners, particularly in ensuring that infrastructure projects and development initiatives align with approved master plans and planning regulations.
She reiterated the Commission’s commitment to engaging professional bodies whose expertise can contribute meaningfully to national growth, improved governance and sustainable development.
The meeting was attended by two FCC commissioners representing Lagos and Taraba states, including Tpl. Bala Bobboi, the Taraba State Commissioner and a professional town planner, who facilitated the engagement between the Commission and the Institute.
Members of the NITP delegation included the Second National Vice President, Tpl. Dr. Garba Jibrin; National Secretary, Tpl. Dr. Zayyanu Muhammad; Chairman of the NITP Presidential Committee on Youth Employment and Immediate Past Chairman of the FCT Chapter, Tpl. P.K. Lami Ayuba; Secretary of the Committee and former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Institute, Tpl. Okechukwu Ozougwu; and the Acting Executive Secretary of the Institute, Tpl. Jide Bananola. Also present were representatives of the Young Planners Forum from the FCT Chapter.
The visit underscored the growing recognition of the critical role of professional planning in national development. As Nigeria continues to experience rapid urbanization and expanding infrastructure needs, both organizations expressed optimism that stronger collaboration would contribute to more coordinated development, better resource allocation and improved living conditions for communities across the country.
The Federal Character Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging professional institutions and stakeholders whose expertise can support policies and initiatives designed to foster inclusive growth and sustainable national progress.