By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has stepped up efforts to align Nigeria’s urban planning system with global standards, identifying the move as critical to addressing insecurity, improving infrastructure, and driving sustainable development.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Secretary of the NITP, Dr. Chiahemba Nor, the position was highlighted at a stakeholders’ consultation and town hall meeting held in Kaduna, where the National President of NITP, Dr. Ogbonna Chime, called for stronger collaboration among professionals, government, and citizens.

Speaking through the Institute’s Secretary, Dr Mohammed Zayanu, Dr. Chime stressed that adopting international best practices would significantly transform Nigeria’s urban landscape.

“Adopting global best practices in urban planning will significantly enhance safety, improve infrastructure, and support long-term economic growth,” he said.

He further underscored the importance of public engagement and institutional synergy saying “effective community sensitisation and strong collaboration between citizens, government institutions, and professionals are critical to achieving these goals.”

The Director General of the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency, Mallam Abdulrahman Yahaya, warned that poor coordination among planners continues to undermine development outcomes.

“Harmony among town planners is critical to achieving effective planning and successful execution of development projects,” Yahaya stated.

He added that fragmented planning contributes to insecurity and weak service delivery in rapidly expanding cities.

Earlier, Kaduna State Chairman of NITP, Dr Yakubu Aliyu Bununu, urged practitioners to actively engage in continuous professional development to keep pace with evolving global standards.

He described Kaduna as privileged to host the programme and encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity to sharpen their skills.

The town hall, themed “Working Together for Accomplishment,” emphasised people-centred planning and stronger government-citizen partnerships.

Participants from diverse sectors shared practical insights on how urban planning impacts daily life, expressing concerns over current practices while proposing innovative solutions.

Organisers said the engagement would foster more inclusive, responsive, and effective planning systems, not only in Kaduna but across Nigeria.

The event ended with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to leveraging digital innovation and collective action to build safer and more sustainable cities.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has announced plans to overhaul its urban planning framework by transitioning from an analogue system to a fully digital model.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Mallam Shehu Usman, disclosed this during the 27th Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme organised by NITP in collaboration with the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC).

He described the initiative as a strategic response to rapid urbanisation. “This initiative is designed to address the growing challenges associated with rapid urbanisation while aligning our planning processes with global best practices. Digitalisation is no longer optional, it is a global trend Kaduna State cannot afford to ignore,” he said.

Usman commended professional bodies for promoting digital transformation, assuring continued government collaboration to strengthen policy frameworks and urban governance.

Also speaking, the National President of NITP, represented by First National Vice President of the Institute, Prof. Kingsley Ogboi, noted that the programme provides a vital platform for enhancing professional capacity and regulatory compliance, particularly in the application of modern technologies.

“Global planning practices are increasingly driven by innovations such as geospatial technologies, artificial intelligence, and data-based decision-making. Nigeria must embrace these tools to remain competitive and effective,” he said.

In his remarks, TOPREC President, Isyaku Muhtar Kura, pointed to the dual pressures of population growth and climate change, stressing the urgency of innovation.

“The adoption of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence in land-use analysis, is essential for proactive and efficient urban planning across the country,” he said.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the combined push for global standards and digital transformation would reposition Nigeria’s urban planning sector to better address security concerns, infrastructure gaps, and sustainable development goals.

As the event concluded on April 2, 2026, Dr. Osunsanmi Gbolabo, Chairman of this year’s MCPDP Committee, expressed optimism about transforming our cities and towns through the insights gained at the MCPDP.

“As we wrap up the Kaduna leg of the 2026 MCPDP, let this be a launchpad, not a conclusion. The knowledge we’ve gained, the networks we’ve built, and the digital tools we’ve embraced must now drive real impact,” he emphasised.

“Whether digitising planning approvals, applying AI in geodesign, or training the next generation of planners, I urge you to act with boldness and creativity. Together, let’s shape smarter, more resilient cities, sustainable environments, and thriving economies across Nigeria,” he added.