Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), has disclosed that the country is presently facing a severe shortage of town planners with a ratio of one town planner to 70,000.
NITP National President, Nathaniel Muhammadu Atebije, stated this at the association’s 2024 Town Hall Meeting held in Abeokuta yesterday with the theme “Creating the Livable Environment We Need through Collaboration and Community Participation.”
While emphasising the critical role of town planners in achieving sustainable development, Atebije said: “One of the significant challenges we face is the lack of professionals; we don’t have enough town planners, engineers, surveyors, quantity surveyors, or builders.
He noted that the situation is worse when compared to developed countries where the ratio of town planners to the population is one to 3,000.
He berated the lack of strategic planning under the current political administration, adding that town planning is a social responsibility of the government that is essential for the nation’s progress and development.
He also called for a collaborative approach involving town planners and other professionals to address Nigeria’s planning needs.
“Without proper planning, we create environments prone to health hazards like malaria and cholera, and problems like flooding due to poor drainage systems.”
“We need environments where we can enjoy fresh air, easily access our neighbours, and have good communication systems. A lack of planning leads to unhealthy living conditions and failed development projects,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman, Ogun State chapter of the NITP, Adefela Shogbesan, disclosed that the meeting which brought together members of religious organisations, artisans, professional bodies, and government representatives aims to serve as a platform to discuss critical issues, foster collaboration, and community participation in creating sustainable and livable environments in Nigeria.
He added that the three-day event forms part of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) held in an effort to bridge the gap between town planners and the public.
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