…….Town planners advocate stronger local government participation and stricter enforcement against illegal developments across Lagos.

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos State Chapter, has called for greater involvement of local councils in physical planning to promote sustainable urban development.

The institute made the call during its 2026 pre-Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

The chapter’s chairman, Oladele Akindele, said physical planning responsibilities at the national, state and local government levels should remain distinct but interconnected.

He urged the Lagos State Government to expand public-private partnerships (PPPs) in implementing master plans, model city plans and other lower-order development plans.

According to him, PPPs would reduce the government’s financial burden and support the timely execution of planning projects.

NITP Supports Urban Renewal Projects

Akindele acknowledged the progress made by the Office of Urban Development under the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

He said the award of regeneration and urban renewal projects to indigenous planning firms could improve urban development, residents’ socioeconomic conditions and the state’s environment.

The chairman also called for stricter action against illegal developments, particularly in areas undergoing regeneration.

“We implore the government to ensure that such developments are removed at the early stages of construction, and not when they have been completed and, in some cases, occupied,” he said.

Institute Endorses Certified Accreditors Programme

Akindele expressed support for the state’s recently introduced Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP).

He said the programme was designed to strengthen building regulation enforcement, increase inspection capacity and promote safer construction practices.

The initiative, he added, could also help reduce the economic losses and social disruption associated with building collapses and government demolitions.

The NITP’s position comes amid ongoing discussions about strengthening physical planning, urban renewal and construction monitoring in Lagos State. 

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