The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called for the integration of physical and spatial planning into the implementation of Nigeria’s Federal Character Principle to ensure equitable development, reduce regional disparities and deepen national unity.

The institute said the Federal Character Principle should go beyond appointments and recruitment into public institutions to address the equitable distribution of infrastructure, public utilities, economic opportunities and social services across the country.

NITP President, Dr Ogbonna Chime, made the call in a goodwill message at a national workshop for local council chairmen organised by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in partnership with the Progressive Governors Forum in Abuja.

The two-day workshop, themed: “Deepening National Unity through Grassroots Implementation of the Federal Character Principle,” brought together local council leaders, policymakers, professionals and other stakeholders to deliberate on how grassroots governance could strengthen equity, fairness and national unity.

Chime said the principle of federal character had a significant spatial, social and developmental dimension that should be recognised in efforts to promote national cohesion and balanced development.

According to him, public discussion of the Federal Character Principle has largely concentrated on political representation, appointments and federal recruitment, while insufficient attention has been paid to its potential role in ensuring equitable access to development opportunities.

He said, “Its true transformative impact is intrinsically linked to the equitable distribution of vital resources, essential infrastructure and life-sustaining opportunities.”

The NITP president explained that access to potable water, reliable electricity, roads, schools, healthcare facilities and economic centres should be fairly distributed across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

He warned that sustainable national development would remain difficult to achieve as long as major spatial disparities persisted between communities and regions.

“Genuine and enduring nation-building is inextricably linked to the robust strengthening of local governance structures, the proactive promotion of equitable representation and the steadfast assurance of fair and inclusive development that reaches every corner of our country,” Chime said.

He noted that significant inequalities in infrastructure and public services could undermine national cohesion by creating communities that enjoy relative abundance while others lack even basic facilities.

According to him, an inclusive governance framework must guarantee Nigerians, irrespective of geographical location, ethnic background or socioeconomic status, equitable access to roads, healthcare, education, economic opportunities and a healthy environment.

Chime stressed that the planning profession had a critical role to play in translating the principles of equity and inclusion into practical development outcomes.

He said spatial justice remained fundamental to national stability, peace and sustainable progress. “Our profession extends far beyond the technical exercise of merely drawing maps or delineating boundaries. Urban and regional planning serves as a critical instrument through which the abstract concept of equity is translated and actualised on the ground,” he said.

The NITP president advocated the preparation and effective implementation of development master plans across local government areas, arguing that planning frameworks would provide a structured basis for identifying infrastructure gaps and guiding equitable investment.

He said the combination of strategic spatial planning and the constitutional mandate of the Federal Character Commission could create a stronger framework for addressing uneven development. “If every local council has a master plan, the proper deployment of equitable planning will be appropriately guided,” he added.

The institute reiterated its readiness to collaborate with the Federal Character Commission and other stakeholders to institutionalise spatial equity within national development policies.

Chime said integrating physical planning frameworks into the implementation of the Federal Character Principle would help Nigeria move beyond political representation towards “active, visible development in every corner of the country.”

The NITP president expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce actionable recommendations capable of strengthening inclusive development and reducing disparities among communities.