The uncontrolled expansion of slums and the deterioration of Nigeria’s urban environment have prompted urgent calls for action from urban planning experts and real estate developers. At a workshop themed “The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Urban and Regional Planning: Challenges and Opportunities,” stakeholders expressed deep concern over the unchecked conversion of residential areas into unregulated commercial spaces and the government’s apparent inaction in addressing this issue. The core problem, they argued, isn’t the lack of policy, but rather the consistent failure to implement existing regulations. This has led to a chaotic and unsustainable urban landscape, particularly in rapidly growing areas. The workshop served as a platform to dissect the multifaceted challenges hindering effective urban planning and to propose concrete solutions for restoring order and promoting sustainable development.
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the government’s poor policy implementation, specifically in urban planning. Babatunde Adeyemo, Managing Director of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, highlighted the disconnect between land acquisition and infrastructural development. He argued that large-scale land acquisition without corresponding investments in essential infrastructure makes the acquired land unattractive for development, leading to stagnation and potentially contributing to slum growth. Citing the Muhammadu Buhari Estate in Kobape, Ogun State, as a prime example, Adeyemo emphasized the need for strategic government intervention that synchronizes land acquisition with infrastructure development to stimulate genuine progress. This disconnect, according to stakeholders, lies at the heart of the uncontrolled urban sprawl and the proliferation of informal settlements.
Adding to the critique of government practices, Bisi Adedire, President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), accused government officials of actively undermining planning regulations, further exacerbating the issue of land encroachment. Adedire presented a case study of a land dispute in Ota, Ogun State, where conflicting Certificates of Occupancy were issued by the same government body for the same parcel of land, years apart. This, he argued, demonstrates the lack of transparency and accountability within the land administration system, leaving citizens vulnerable to exploitation and disputes. Despite appeals to relevant government agencies, including the Governor and the Lands Commissioner, the issue remained unresolved, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.
The lack of digitalization within the planning systems also came under intense scrutiny. Professor Muyiwa Agunbiade of the University of Lagos pointed out that the continued reliance on analogue systems creates inefficiencies, facilitates corruption, and makes land administration chaotic and prone to abuse. He cited the Mowe-Ibafo corridor as a stark example of the consequences of neglecting planned development, transforming what could have been a well-planned urban area into a sprawling slum that will now require massive resources to rectify. Agunbiade argued that the resistance to digitalization among government officials stems from the potential loss of illicit gains associated with the opaque analogue processes.
The private sector’s perspective was equally critical. Odunayo Ojo, Managing Director of UPDC, stressed the importance of enforcing planning laws for fostering effective collaboration between the government and the private sector. He emphasized that a predictable and regulated environment is crucial for private sector investment and growth. Without consistent enforcement of rules and regulations, Ojo warned, sustainable urban development remains a distant prospect. This echoed a broader concern among stakeholders that the lack of a consistent regulatory framework discourages responsible development and perpetuates the cycle of unregulated growth and urban decay.
Responding to these criticisms, government representatives acknowledged the challenges while emphasizing the importance of citizen compliance with existing laws. Abiodun Adewolu, Senior Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Urban and Regional Planning, admitted the difficulties posed by inadequate infrastructure, including poor road networks and water shortages. However, he urged citizens to adhere to planning regulations, stressing that planning is essential for creating livable environments. He also lamented the shift in focus from public interest to revenue generation, a trend that has arguably undermined the integrity of urban planning processes. This admission, while highlighting the government’s awareness of the challenges, also underscores the need for a more proactive and comprehensive approach to urban planning.
Oluwole Sotire, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, acknowledged the need for government accountability alongside citizen responsibility in paying taxes. He questioned the equity of current practices and advocated for greater stakeholder involvement in planning processes to ensure that development benefits all segments of society. Sotire’s remarks underscored the need for a more inclusive and transparent approach to urban planning, one that prioritizes the needs of the community and ensures equitable distribution of resources. The overall consensus among the experts was that addressing the issues of uncontrolled slum growth and urban decay requires a multifaceted approach. This includes halting the proliferation of informal settlements, enforcing existing regulations, and embracing digital technologies in land management. These measures, they argued, are crucial for restoring order, promoting sustainable development, and creating more livable urban centers in Nigeria.
