Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming informal settlements into safer and more liveable communities as part of a wider urban renewal strategy across the country.
Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by officials of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), led by its National President, Dr. Ogbonna Chime, Darma said the government would focus on upgrading long-established underserved communities rather than allowing them remain neglected.
Makoko, Gishiri Among Priority Communities
The minister identified communities including Makoko in Lagos State, Gishiri in Abuja, as well as selected settlements in Kano and Port Harcourt, as areas already under consideration for intervention.
According to him, the government aims to transform these locations into habitable and dignified environments through better infrastructure, planning systems, and urban support facilities.
Darma explained that the initiative forms part of a broader urban development policy currently being developed by the ministry.
He also disclosed plans to revisit the Regional and Urban Development Law enacted in 1992, a framework many stakeholders believe has suffered decades of poor implementation.
Government Seeks Collaboration With Professionals
The minister stressed that partnerships with development agencies and professional bodies would be critical to successful implementation.
He invited town planning experts to provide technical recommendations that could strengthen the ministry’s strategy.
According to him, collaboration remains necessary to ensure policies translate into measurable improvements across Nigerian cities.
FG Pushes Skills Development in Built Environment
On workforce development, Darma reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering local professionals within the built environment sector.
He revealed that approximately 2,000 young Nigerians had already received specialised training to acquire practical skills relevant to construction and urban development.
“The Ministry already trained individually about 2,000 of them to get skills in the built environment, and these young people are all over Nigeria applying what they learnt,” he said.
Minister Urges Professionals to Embrace Technology
Addressing concerns around workforce shortages and changing industry trends, Darma encouraged professionals to adopt emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.
He noted that future opportunities in planning and infrastructure development would increasingly favour professionals who adapt to digital transformation.
The minister also called for alternative funding approaches to strengthen professional institutions and support regulatory activities.
Earlier, NITP President Dr. Ogbonna Chime urged the government to fully implement the 1992 planning law, recruit new professionals, strengthen urban renewal efforts, and improve institutional funding to raise standards within the sector.
