Professionals in Nigeria’s built environment sector have urged town planning consultants to take advantage of incentives contained in the new Nigerian Tax Act while strengthening record-keeping and compliance practices.

The call was made during the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Lagos branch of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), where stakeholders examined the implications of recent tax reforms on professional practice.

Experts Highlight Tax Implications for Planning Consultants

Speaking at the event, professional accountant and tax administrator, Mrs. Olufunlola Adediran, advised practitioners to fully understand both the responsibilities and opportunities introduced by the new legal framework.

Delivering a presentation titled “The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025: The Impact on Town Planning Consultancy Services,” she explained that town planners operate within sectors directly influenced by tax regulations, including property development, infrastructure delivery, government contracts, and consultancy services.

According to her, areas affected include Value Added Tax (VAT), withholding tax, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax, development levies, capital allowances, and stamp duties.

“We are advising town planners to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the new tax law, the obligations and the incentives,” she said.

Small Firms May Benefit from Tax Relief

Adediran noted that taxable services for town planning professionals include layout preparation, environmental impact assessments, urban renewal projects, zoning activities, regularisation processes, training programmes, and seminars.

She added that many small-scale planning firms could benefit significantly from provisions under the new law.

According to her, firms with annual turnover below N100 million may qualify for exemption from Companies Income Tax under Section 56 of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.

She further noted that consultants involved in land documentation, property transactions, and government contracts could also benefit from certain stamp duty exemptions.

Experts Warn Against Poor Tax Practices

Adediran warned practitioners against mixing personal finances with business income, stating that proper financial separation improves compliance and may reduce tax burdens.

She also cautioned that failure to meet tax obligations under the new framework could trigger automatic penalties.

“The government is the sleeping partner of every business because taxes ultimately support public infrastructure and development,” she said.

ATOPCON Calls for Innovation and Continuous Learning

Chairman of ATOPCON Lagos branch, Bello Akinwale, said the session was designed to help members understand the impact of tax reforms on consultancy operations and avoid costly compliance mistakes.

He encouraged practitioners to embrace continuous learning to remain competitive.

Past President of ATOPCON and Chairman of the occasion, Waheed Kadiri, also stressed the need for stronger business sustainability models in the profession.

According to him, consultancy firms must adapt to changing economic realities through strategic planning, innovation, and stronger collaboration.

“We must embrace innovation, strengthen technical capacity, adopt emerging technologies, and build stronger collaboration among professionals,” Kadiri said.

The post Town Planners Urged to Leverage New Tax Act Incentives, Strengthen Compliance appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

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.

The post FG Targets Makoko, Gishiri, Others for Slum Upgrade Under Urban Renewal Plan appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Oyo State Government has announced plans to introduce a digital system for building and survey plan approvals.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this during a meeting with zonal directors of town planning offices across the state.

According to him, the new system is designed to make approvals more transparent and traceable, reducing leakages and irregularities associated with the previous manual process.

“The new digital plan approval system will be fully automated and include security features such as barcodes to validate every approved document,” Akin-Funmilayo said. “This will ensure efficiency and curb corruption in town planning operations.”

The commissioner also instructed enforcement and monitoring teams to clamp down on developers or individuals who violate planning regulations. He assured residents that the system will allow building approvals to be processed remotely, saving time and eliminating the need for intermediaries.

The state government previously conducted a 60-day online building permit amnesty programme in 2024, aimed at regularising unapproved structures and processing new approvals.

Akin-Funmilayo urged property owners to fully cooperate with the new digital initiative, which the government said is designed to be user-friendly and corruption-free.

The post Oyo State to Digitalise Building and Survey Plan Approval appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nearly two decades after Nigeria adopted the National Building Code (NBC), most of it remains ignored. The consequences are deadly buildings collapse regularly, lives are lost, and trust in the construction industry continues to fall.

The code, first approved in 2006 and revised in 2018, was meant to regulate how buildings are planned, built, and maintained. But many states have yet to pass the laws needed to enforce it. As a result, Nigeria’s construction sector runs mostly without rules.

No Rules, No Safety

Cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are growing fast. But without a standard code in place, they are filled with unsafe structures, poor materials, and developers who cut corners.

Experts say the lack of a national enforcement system allows bad practices to thrive. There are no clear guidelines for fire safety, structural strength, or energy efficiency. Many buildings go up without input from qualified professionals.

Investors and Professionals Losing Faith

This lawless environment is not only dangerous it’s also scaring off investors. Developers and insurers are avoiding projects in Nigeria because of the risks involved. Without regulation, no one can guarantee the safety of a building or the return on investment.

Even climate-friendly planning is suffering. The building code includes green building practices, but most developers ignore them. This makes it hard to attract funding for sustainable housing.

Quackery on the Rise

Without proper oversight, unqualified workers dominate the industry. Many developers hire people who are not trained architects or engineers. They often use poor materials and build without approved plans. This leads to weak structures and frequent disasters.

Professionals like architects, quantity surveyors, and engineers say the industry is under threat. Their roles are being sidelined by people who simply want to make a quick profit.

Collapse Statistics Are Alarming

From 1974 to 2025, Nigeria recorded 653 building collapses and over 1,600 deaths. Lagos alone accounts for more than half of these tragedies. For comparison, Kenya recorded just 86 collapses in 10 years and reduced the number sharply after enforcing reforms.

What Experts Are Saying

Obafemi Onashile   Quantity Surveyors Board

He believes the solution is to create a new national commission to regulate construction. He blames poor coordination and lack of oversight for building collapses, rising quackery, and the absence of foreign investment in the sector.

Mobolaji Adeniyi  Nigerian Institute of Architects

Adeniyi says many buildings are approved without input from qualified professionals. She notes common issues like substandard materials, weak foundations, and poor supervision. She calls for digital monitoring, public project registries, and stronger penalties for violators.

Dr. Victor Oyenuga  Structural Engineer

Oyenuga points to basic safety failures like lack of protective gear and poor staircase dimensions in public buildings. He argues that supervision by trained professionals is the only way to ensure safety. Money, he says, should never be placed above human life.

Dr. Jesse Nor  Town Planning Expert

Nor warns that without a legal framework, Nigeria’s building system is chaotic. He calls for stronger enforcement of urban plans and national standards. Without enforcement, he says, all development plans no matter how good will fail.

The Way Forward

Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the building code any longer. States must pass laws to enforce it. Regulatory bodies should be funded, trained, and empowered to act. Public education is also keympeople need to understand the risks of unsafe construction.

Without serious action, buildings will keep falling, lives will keep being lost, and Nigeria’s cities will keep growing in the wrong direction.

The post Why Buildings Keep Crumbling in Nigeria appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria’s housing crisis continues, and town planner Bisi Adedire says the main issue is rising construction costs.

As President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), he believes that until the government takes action, low-income housing will remain out of reach.

“Prices of materials like cement and iron are not regulated,” he explained. “The companies set their own prices. Most operate like monopolies, and the government does nothing to stop it.”

Because developers must pay high prices for materials, they can’t afford to build homes for low-income buyers.

Rent Policy Isn’t the Solution

Lagos State is pushing a policy to collect rent monthly instead of yearly. However, Adedire argues this approach won’t solve the core problem.

“You can’t talk about rent without fixing the housing supply,” he said. “If homes are not available, rent prices will keep going up, no matter how often you collect them.

He added that more focus should go toward reducing land costs and permit fees. Making these more affordable would attract more developers and speed up home construction.

Investors Face Too Many Roadblocks

Recently, the Federal Government shut down over 4,000 homes in Abuja due to unpaid ground rent. Adedire believes this sends the wrong message.

“Developers already pay multiple charges planning fees, infrastructure fees, and land use charges,” he said. “Yet, they receive little or no support in return.”

Instead of punishing investors, he thinks the government should support those helping to fill the housing gap.

Urban Planning Must Be a Priority

Adedire also called on the government to take planning more seriously. He pointed out that Nigeria promised “Housing for All by the Year 2000,” but the country is still far behind in 2025.

“Proper planning starts at the local level and should guide growth in all areas,” he said. “But most leaders only invest where they expect profit.”

This short-term thinking, he warns, leads to poor development and deeper housing shortages.

ATOPCON Continues to Push for Change

Adedire confirmed that ATOPCON is taking action. They regularly hold meetings, publish recommendations, and send proposals to government officials. Recently, Lagos State responded positively to one of their suggestions by launching a 90-day amnesty for building permits.

Still, Adedire said these small steps are not enough. “Until the government makes the housing sector easier to enter and less expensive, low-income housing will remain out of reach for millions of Nigerians,” he concluded.

The post Fix the System or Forget Affordable Homes,” Adedire Tells Nigerian Government appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

He made this known while delivering a lecture at the 11th Waheed Kadiri Lecture Series held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The event, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), honored former NITP President, Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, for his contributions.

Speaking on the theme, “Global Trends: Re-imagining Cities for Sustainable Development and Shared Prosperity,” Yusuf emphasized AI’s transformative role in planning.

He explained that rapid technological advancements, climate change, and evolving societal structures require innovative solutions for efficient urban development.

According to Yusuf, AI-powered predictive analytics, automated design tools, and real-time mapping can enhance the effectiveness of urban planning processes.

He cited Statista, which forecasts the global AI market to hit $243.7 billion by 2025, with Nigeria’s sector experiencing rapid growth.

The Nigerian AI market is projected to expand annually by 27.08%, reaching $4.64 billion by 2030, offering immense opportunities.

“AI is revolutionizing industries globally, and urban planning must evolve by leveraging technological advancements for enhanced efficiency,” Yusuf stated.

He also highlighted concerns about food insecurity, revealing that 33 million Nigerians face extreme hunger due to ineffective urban planning.

He urged urban planners to incorporate agricultural zones, efficient transportation systems, and processing hubs to ensure sustainable food accessibility.

Additionally, he advised professionals to analyze the behavioral patterns of Generation Z and Millennials to shape future urban environments effectively.

Also speaking, Jolaosho Babatunde, Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, urged planners to focus on economic development beyond physical structures.

“Urban planning extends beyond constructing buildings; it involves creating environments that drive economic growth and sustainable development,” Babatunde stated.

The lecture reinforced the importance of AI adoption in urban planning to create smarter, more livable, and economically viable Nigerian cities.

The post NESG Calls for AI Adoption in Town Planning appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Lagos State Government has urged members of the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN) not to deal in any property without a planning permit in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, gave the advice, yesterday, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of AEAN to the ministry.

Olumide said as stakeholders in the building sector, they should join the crusade for organised, orderly, and sustainable development by ensuring that everyone builds right.

He said that it would not be out of place for members of AEAN to request for the planning permit before agreeing to deal in a property, as doing so, would add to efforts to checkmate illegal development and enhance sustainability.

The commissioner said that contrary to the wrong notion, the process of obtaining a planning permit is straightforward, clear and simple.
He also enjoined the association to key into the Lagos State Urban Development Policy being prepared by the ministry by submitting memoranda that would form the policy.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman, Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria, Gbenga Ismail, reiterated the intention of the association to collaborate with the government in sanitising the built environment, especially as the association entered into the first decade of its existence.

Meanwhile, the state government has assured residents of the state of a safe 2024, promising that their safety will be prioritised in the year.
It also called on residents to always take proactive safety measures in personal, occupational, and business environments.

READ ALSO: Concerned Subscriber Petitions Lagos State Government Following Breach in Property Transaction”with estate developer

The state’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, said this during a management retreat held in Lagos with the theme: ‘Human Centric Safety Culture’.

Oyerinde said the estimated population of the state, which is over 20 million, urgently calls for a proactive safety consciousness rather than a reactive one, stressing that the safety of workers must be strategically positioned towards giving quality service to the people of the state.

Also speaking at the programme, Director-General of Lagos Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, said the mandate of the commission to regulate safety-related issues prompted the convocation of the retreat, which according to him, will enable Lagos State safety workers to discharge their duties optimally.

Mojola said the commission had scaled up its operations in the last four years and would continue to offer quality service delivery to ensure safety at all levels.
He expressed the commitment of the commission to expand its operations across the five divisions of the state and hinted at the launch of the proposed Occupational Safety Cadre by the governor this year.

The post Lagos Goes Tough On Buildings Without Town Planning Permit appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Ogun State government has sealed nine buildings for infractions while 46 residential buildings at two estates in Sango-Ota were served contravention notices.

The government also warned owners and developers of estates to comply with town planning laws and regulations for obtaining permits, authorisation to commence construction, stage-to-stage certification of building constructions, as well as certificate of fitness-to-use.

Acting General Manager, Ogun State Building Production Management Authority, Olakunle Olaniran, gave the warning during a two-day monitoring and enforcement exercise that covered Sango-Ota, Itori, Ibese, Kobape, Ilisan Remo, Ilara road, Iperu Remo and Ogere.

READ ALSO: Ogun State Unlocks Real Estate Potential with 5,000 Certificates of Occupancy

Olaniran said the exercise was in collaboration with the Central Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

He said the developers of the estates had earlier been invited to a meeting, however, the authority decided to embark on enforcement due to their poor responses.

He said: “This exercise has shown that even elites, who should know better, are still contravening the laws. The fact that an estate is fenced does not mean it was built in compliance with the law.

READ ALSO: Lagos to demolish more illegal structures across the state 

“All buildings, whether inside an estate or not, must have planning permits, building authorisation, stage-to-stage certification and certificate of fitness-to-live.”

Olaniran said the sensitisation would be continuous.

The post Ogun seals nine buildings, serves notices to 46 others for infractions appeared first on Housing TV Africa.