By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA – Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has warned that persistent land use conflicts threaten national stability, stressing that effective planning is critical to peace and growth.

Bagudu, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday, explained that many clashes in urban and rural parts of the country were driven by poor land use and weak planning systems, with unmanaged spaces often becoming flashpoints.

“Many of the conflicts we face today stem from how we use land and space. Poor planning breeds tension, while good planning fosters peace and prosperity,” he said.

Bagudu spoke at the inaugural Annual Advocacy Lecture of the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy, in Abuja, where he also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable and innovation-driven development as Nigeria targets a 1 trillion dollar economy by 2030.

The minister said achieving the target would require deliberate planning, strong collaboration and contributions from professionals and stakeholders across all sectors, adding that development must integrate physical, environmental, social and financial planning.

He disclosed that Nigeria is finalising its 2026 National Development Plan as a key framework to drive economic transformation and align with the administration’s long-term vision.

“Mr President believes that development must include everyone, be sustainable over time, and embrace innovation, because what worked yesterday may not work today.

“This goal cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires deep thought, collaboration, and contributions from all sectors of our society,” the minister said.

He stressed that planning goes beyond infrastructure and must focus on how people live together, urging a shift from past debates to forward-looking solutions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Bagudu also called for stronger coordination among federal, state and local governments, while urging the adoption of modern planning approaches to address population growth and technological change for sustainable national development.