By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Vice Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Prof. Jeremiah Oludele Ojediran, has called for a comprehensive restructuring of Nigerian cities through effective planning and engineering, warning that poor urban design continues to fuel insecurity across the country.

Ojediran made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Designing Safer Nigeria: Engineering, Planning, and the Fight Against Insecurity” at the 12th Waheed Kadiri Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Vice Chancellor examined the nexus between weak infrastructure, unregulated urban expansion and rising insecurity, arguing that many Nigerian cities were not originally designed with security considerations.

According to him, the country’s security challenges are deeply rooted in failures of physical planning and governance. He noted that although some state governments have commenced the demolition of illegal structures to create access roads and open up blocked pathways, more strategic efforts are required to decongest overcrowded communities and eradicate slums.

“The building, structure and society in Nigeria need to take security seriously. We got it wrong from the planning stage. Even though we have failed in the past, we can still reverse it and restructure our cities,” he said.

He urged planners to redesign emerging areas with proper mapping and layout, while restructuring older districts to meet modern standards.

“Some governments are demolishing houses to create pathways. There are over-congested areas that must be decongested. Slums must become a thing of the past. They should be cleared and properly planned,” he added.

Ojediran emphasised the role of governance in security, stating that beyond policing, strong institutions and effective regulatory frameworks are critical to safeguarding lives and property.

He also decried the absence and frequent violation of master plans in most Nigerian cities, insisting that development approvals must strictly comply with approved layouts. While acknowledging that restructuring may involve demolition and reconstruction, he maintained that temporary discomfort would deliver long-term gains.

“Before approving any building plan, authorities must consult the master plan. Most cities in this country do not have functional master plans. We must develop them and enforce compliance, with sanctions for violations,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor pointed to Abuja as a notable example of a city with a structured master plan, though he observed that even there, violations have necessitated demolitions.

He further stressed the importance of infrastructure, particularly stable electricity supply, in strengthening national security. He advocated diversification of power generation sources to include hydro, gas and solar energy.

Ojediran urged policymakers, engineers and town planners to treat urban design as a frontline strategy in combating insecurity, insisting that a safer Nigeria can only be achieved through deliberate, disciplined and well-enforced planning systems.