The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has stepped up advocacy for sustainable and orderly urban development with the inauguration of a Presidential Committee to liaise with the National Assembly for the full implementation of the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, NITP National President, Dr Ogbonna Chime, described the 33-year-old legislation as Nigeria’s most comprehensive framework for tackling persistent urban challenges such as flooding, unplanned settlements, and the spread of slums.

“This law is not just about town planners; it is about the future of our cities,” Chime said. “Its implementation will establish a functional legal structure for planning administration at all tiers of government, promote public participation in development decisions, and ensure that major projects undergo environmental impact assessments. The result will be cleaner, safer, and more investment-friendly Nigerian cities.”

The committee will be chaired by Dr Ramatu Aliyu, former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, who pledged to work with lawmakers to integrate the legislation into present-day governance frameworks.

Chime also commended the Federal Government for creating the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and lauded Minister Ahmed Dangiwa for ratifying the New Urban Development Policy. He further urged states and local governments to establish planning commissions and urban regeneration agencies to strengthen the system.

The 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law provides for the creation of planning authorities at national, state, and local levels, mandates public engagement in the planning process, and sets environmental safeguards for major developments.

According to Chime, the NITP is determined to ensure that this time the law moves beyond the pages of legislation into full enforcement, transforming Nigeria’s urban landscape.