The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) says the root cause of building collapse across the country is simple: a good law exists, but no one is using it.
According to Dr. Ogbonna Chime, the NITP National President, the 1992 Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law which was designed by Nigerians to suit Nigerian cities remains unimplemented, decades after its creation.
He shared this during a town hall and leadership training session in Awka, Anambra State.
Outdated Colonial Policies Still in Use
Dr. Chime criticized the continued reliance on planning laws created during colonial times. “The 1946 law was not made for Nigerians—it served colonial interests,” he said.
He pointed out that the 1992 law corrected those gaps and introduced a system that empowered qualified professionals to manage development, inspect buildings, and stop unsafe construction before it starts.
Professionals Left Out of the Process
“The law puts trained town planners in charge at the local level,” Chime explained. “It also brings in architects, surveyors, estate managers, and civil engineers to ensure proper oversight. But none of that is happening because the law is still gathering dust.”
He stressed that the professionals named in the law are not only qualified but also committed to transparency and accountability. “These are people ready to uphold safety even when it’s not popular,” he added.
Enforce the Law, Save Lives
Dr. Chime said the law, if implemented, would drastically reduce structural failures, especially in parts of the country where environmental risks like swamps are not a concern.
“We have the framework. What we lack is the will to implement it,” he said. “No one should still be talking about collapsed buildings in 2025.
A Small Step from the Federal Government
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development recently launched a task force to look into causes of building collapse. While he welcomed the move, he insisted that task forces won’t replace what a fully functional planning law can do.
Leadership Starts with Knowledge
The training session in Awka also focused on educating urban planning professionals about their duties and how to better serve the public.
“We’re building leaders, not just planners,” Chime told the attendees.
Planning Is a Team Effort
In his own remarks, Dr. Nwofor Ben, NITP Chairman for Anambra State, said the town hall was a platform to bring planners and policymakers together.
“This is how we clear the grey areas and build a better future for our cities,” he said.
