The Federal Government has been urged to prioritize the timely release of funds for road infrastructure projects to sustain national economic growth, enhance regional connectivity, and accelerate national development. The call was made by the retiring Director of Highways Construction and Rehabilitation at the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Clement Ogbuagu, during a valedictory ceremony held in his honor at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. He emphasized that the road sector is a critical driver of a nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), noting that an efficient transport network is fundamental to keeping the broader economy functional and thriving.

Ogbuagu’s remarks come on the heels of data from the Open Treasury Portal indicating that the government released approximately ₦2.68 trillion—amounting to barely 5 percent—for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of roads and bridges between 2023 and April 2026. While the government made budget provisions totaling ₦54.93 trillion for road-related infrastructure within that timeframe, a stark disparity remains between approved allocations and actual funding releases, stalling various ongoing capital projects across the country. The retiring director praised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for introducing modern construction technologies to tackle these durability issues, specifically highlighting the successful deployment of concrete pavement technology on federal highways.

Stepping down after completing his mandatory years of public service, Ogbuagu also commended the ongoing digitalization reforms under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, which are steadily transitioning ministries away from inefficient paper-based processes. He advised serving public officers to uphold strict discipline, accountability, and professional ethics to navigate their careers without legal or disciplinary challenges. The Minister of State for Works, Barrister Mohammed Goronyo, lauded Ogbuagu as an exceptional public servant whose professional competence and humility would be deeply missed within the ministry.

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The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called for deeper collaboration with the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to strengthen infrastructure planning, promote balanced national development and create more employment opportunities for professional town planners across Nigeria.

The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the NITP National President, Dr. Chime Ogbonna, and members of the institute’s leadership to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Mrs. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, in Abuja.

Speaking during the meeting, Ogbonna said both institutions share a common objective of ensuring equitable and sustainable development across the country.

He explained that while the NITP is responsible for preparing national physical development plans, regional development frameworks and urban master plans, the FCC plays a critical role in ensuring the fair distribution of public infrastructure, opportunities and resources across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NITP president urged the commission to strengthen its technical capacity by recruiting more professional town planners and engaging consultant planners to provide expert guidance on the location and development of major government projects.

According to him, involving qualified town planners in infrastructure planning would ensure that projects align with approved master plans, enhance service delivery and support orderly physical development nationwide.

Ogbonna also expressed concern over reports that positions reserved for town planners in some public institutions were being occupied by professionals from unrelated disciplines.

He called for greater recognition of the profession in public sector recruitment and appointments, stressing that proper urban and regional planning remains essential for sustainable development.

Responding, FCC Executive Chairman, Mrs. Hulayat Omidiran, welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the commission’s willingness to collaborate with the institute.

She acknowledged the technical expertise of town planners and noted that the commission would benefit from professional input in ensuring that infrastructure projects are aligned with existing master plans and national development priorities.

Omidiran stated that the FCC remains committed to engaging professional bodies whose contributions support national growth and development.

She added that effective planning and stronger institutional collaboration are critical to managing the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s cities and communities while ensuring sustainable development outcomes.

The meeting was attended by FCC commissioners representing Taraba and Lagos states, as well as senior officials of the NITP, including the Second National Vice President, Tpl. Dr. Garba Jibrin; National Secretary, Tpl. Dr. Zayyanu Muhammad; Chairman of the NITP Presidential Committee on Youth Employment, Tpl. PK Lami Ayuba; Acting Executive Secretary, Tpl. Jide Bananola; and representatives of the Young Planners Forum of the FCT Chapter.

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Engineering professionals in Nigeria have called for increased support for infrastructure development and stronger industrial training opportunities to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical industry experience.

The call was made at the “Ease of Doing Business” series organised in partnership with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ikeja Branch.

Industrial Training Opportunities Under Pressure

Speaking at the forum, former Chairman of the NSE Ikeja Branch, Mr Akintayo Akintola, stressed the need to expand industrial training opportunities for young engineers to improve competence and hands-on experience.

He noted that while the engineering profession in Nigeria has grown significantly in terms of manpower, opportunities for practical exposure have not kept pace.

“The engineering profession in Nigeria has grown in numbers, but opportunities have not kept pace,” he said.

Akintola, Managing Director of Charlie Debbie Consult, explained that industrial training, once a structured pathway for students to gain professional exposure, has become increasingly difficult due to limited placement opportunities.

Fewer Companies, Fewer Training Spaces

He expressed concern over the shrinking private sector space available for engineering internships and attachments.

“What we have today is fewer hands-on placements for the very professionals the system was built to serve,” he said.

“More companies are closing down rather than opening up, and the spaces are getting tighter every day.”

According to him, the decline in operational companies has reduced the number of available training slots for engineering students and young professionals.

Concerns Over National Data and Planning Systems

Akintola also raised concerns about Nigeria’s weak data infrastructure, arguing that the country lacks reliable systems for population tracking and development planning.

He said inadequate political will has hindered the deployment of engineering-driven solutions needed for effective national development.

“The government has consistently refused to empower engineers with the tools and mandates necessary to build the systems the country needs,” he said.

He further criticised inconsistent policy direction, noting that the absence of continuity in development planning has contributed to infrastructure gaps.

Lessons From Past Infrastructure Projects

Akintola referenced earlier development eras, particularly the 1970s, when long-term planning led to major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Third Mainland Bridge.

He said such projects were made possible by consistent policy direction and sustained commitment to national development goals.

Engineers Push for Economic Growth Role

Chairman of the NSE Ikeja Branch, Nimot Muili, said the forum was designed to highlight the contributions of Nigerian engineers to both local and international development.

She said the initiative also focused on engineering-led solutions, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for businesses, and the role of engineering in strengthening economic growth.

Engineering Key to Business Environment Reform

Muili emphasised that engineering innovation, infrastructure policy, and technical expertise are critical to improving Nigeria’s business environment.

“As a branch, we are committed to showcasing engineers, investors, innovators and professionals who are making significant contributions to economic growth and national development,” she said.

Stakeholders at the forum agreed that strengthening industrial training systems and expanding infrastructure investment will be essential for improving Nigeria’s engineering capacity and supporting long-term national development.

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Dr Chime Ogbonna In an exclusive interview with Housing Tv, called on the government to provide a town planning law that would guide the activities of planners

“The major challenge facing town planners is that Nigeria as a country is working without any town planning laws guiding our activities”

“In 1992, the federal government in its wisdom promulgated what we call today The Nigerian Urban Regional planning law and that law from what we know took over all town planning activities in Nigeria. It repelled every town planning law that ever existed in Nigeria before 1992”

“As we speak that law is not being implemented in this country, worse at the federal level  because we are supposed to have in line with the provision of that law the National Urban and Regional commission at the federal level. That commission will be constituted by town planners, architects, land surveyors, builders, quantity surveyors, lawyers, civil engineers but because the commission is not in place, things go the way they should not go”

The President further urged government to review its laws and make provisions for adequate checkmate and implementation to avoid loss of properties and natural disasters such as flooding in the near future

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