The National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Dr. Ogbonna Chime, has called for sustained advocacy for the domestication and effective implementation of urban and regional planning laws across all states of the federation.

Chime made the call on Thursday in Asaba, Delta State, at the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the institute, where about 14 new members were inducted into the professional body.

He stressed that effective town planning practice could only thrive in an environment supported by sound legal and institutional frameworks, urging states that were yet to domesticate appropriate planning legislation to do so without further delay.

According to him, states with existing planning laws must also ensure that such laws are properly implemented to prevent indiscriminate development and guarantee orderly, sustainable and environmentally friendly cities.

He said, “Effective planning practice can only thrive where there is a sound legal and institutional framework. States that are yet to domesticate appropriate planning laws should do so without delay, while those with existing laws should ensure their effective implementation.”

In his opening remarks, the President of ATOPCON, Hakeem Olatunji Badejo, called for a firm condemnation of the bastardisation of approved development plans and the abuse of designated land uses.

Badejo particularly expressed concern over the arbitrary conversion of green open spaces, which he described as “the lungs of our cities”, to other uses under the guise of public interest.

He also opposed the award of town planning projects to foreign consultants, insisting that Nigerian planning firms should be given the opportunity to handle professional assignments within the country.

“We must stand against the award of planning projects to foreign consultants under any pretext. Our firms must not be reduced to appendages of foreign entities,” he said.

Badejo warned that ATOPCON would sanction member firms found collaborating in practices that undermined the interests of Nigerian professionals, stressing the need to protect the integrity and capacity of indigenous planning firms.

He called on municipal governments to accord town planning issues the seriousness they deserved and patronise local planning consultants in accordance with the nation’s procurement laws and Presidential Executive Order 05 of 2018.

Also speaking, the Chairman, ATOPCON Board of Trustees, Waheed Kadiri, urged members to embrace digital engagement and make greater use of social media and other digital platforms to expand the reach and influence of the profession.

Kadiri said digital platforms could be used to organise regular virtual discussions, webinars and professional conversations on emerging issues affecting town planning, urban development, property markets, infrastructure, climate change, technology and planning legislation.

He maintained that increased digital engagement would enable professionals to contribute more effectively to contemporary debates on sustainable urban development and influence policy decisions.

The Delta State Surveyor General, Wilson Agbeka, meanwhile, appealed to the Delta State Government to ensure that relevant professionals were fully involved in the conception, design and execution of public infrastructure projects.

Agbeka lamented what he described as inadequate involvement of professionals in projects such as drainage systems, bridges and flyovers, arguing that the situation could contribute to recurring flooding in Asaba and other parts of the state.

He said that failure to involve the appropriate professionals in government projects could hinder the development of the state and undermine efforts to address its infrastructure and environmental challenges.

Earlier his welcome address, the Delta State Chairman of ATOPCON, Dr. Emmanuel Moemeke, acknowledged the challenges confronting the profession and expressed optimism that the national leadership of the association would provide the necessary support to address them.

Moemeke said the state chapter had faced serious challenges but noted that the present executive had worked tirelessly to reposition and restore the Delta branch.