The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has strengthened its international partnership with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) during a sideline meeting at the ongoing World Urban Forum 13 in Baku, Azerbaijan, aimed at enhancing urban planning development and professional capacity building.
The meeting, held on 22 May 2026 at the UK pavilion, brought together leading urban development experts, policymakers, and planning institutions from across the world.
The NITP delegation was led by Tpl Dr Ogbonna Chime, while the RTPI team was headed by its Vice President, Professor Samer Bagaeen.
Focus on Urban Planning Reform and Capacity Building
Both institutions reviewed progress on their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and explored new areas of cooperation focused on strengthening town planning practice in Nigeria.
A key outcome of the engagement was RTPI’s commitment to organise a technical workshop on planning tools, professional methodologies, and advocacy strategies.
The workshop is expected to draw on the United Kingdom’s institutional experience in planning advocacy, with the goal of supporting full implementation of Nigeria’s Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Law of 1992.
Training and Digital Planning Collaboration
The two bodies also agreed on academic and professional collaboration involving the University of Built Environment (UBE), which is expected to provide online training programmes for Nigerian planners.
The proposed training will focus on digital town planning, reflecting the global shift toward smart city development, data-driven urban design, and technology-enabled planning systems.
This initiative is aimed at improving technical capacity and aligning Nigeria’s planning profession with global best practices.
RTPI to Participate in NITP International Conference
RTPI also confirmed its intention to participate in the 57th International Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, further strengthening professional ties and promoting knowledge exchange on modern urban development challenges.
The collaboration is expected to enhance institutional relationships and deepen cooperation on sustainable urban development strategies.
Strengthening Global Urban Planning Cooperation
According to NITP officials, the engagement represents a major step in expanding international partnerships that support Nigeria’s urban development agenda.
The discussions were formally signed off by Tpl Dr C.J. Nor, National Public Relations Secretary of NITP, who noted that the collaboration will improve institutional capacity and advance urban planning standards in Nigeria.
