The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has identified the continued neglect of the 1992 Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law as a major factor behind the recurring incidents of building collapse in the country.
Speaking during a town hall and leadership training session in Awka, Anambra State, NITP National President, Dr. Ogbonna Chime, stressed that the 1992 legislation, though crafted over three decades ago, remains highly relevant and capable of addressing the structural challenges plaguing Nigeria’s built environment.
Dr. Chime noted that the law, developed by Nigerian experts with the country’s unique urban landscape in mind, corrected many of the deficiencies in the previous colonial-era planning regulations of 1946. Unlike its predecessor, the 1992 law, he said, promotes functional and accountable town planning systems.
“This legislation was crafted by Nigerians for Nigerians,” he explained. “It replaced colonial provisions that served foreign interests more than our development goals. The updated law brings planning authority to the hands of professionals equipped to make informed decisions.”
Under the law, leadership of local town planning authorities is entrusted to certified professionals, including town planners, architects, civil engineers, estate managers, and quantity surveyors. Chime emphasized that the inclusion of these experts is essential for ensuring the safety and integrity of construction projects.
“The team set up under this law is not only proactive but made up of people who will stand by the truth,” he said. “Had this framework been adopted nationwide especially in regions not prone to geological instability we would not be battling so many cases of building collapse.”
He also commended the recent move by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to inaugurate a national task force focused on building safety, calling it a step in the right direction, but stressed that enforcement of the existing law remains the long-term solution.
The town hall meeting, attended by urban planning professionals and industry stakeholders, served both as a platform for leadership training and as a call to action for deeper engagement in reforming the urban development process.
State Chairman of the NITP, Dr. Nwofor Ben, described the event as a critical opportunity for planners to discuss persistent gaps in the system and develop collaborative solutions for improved outcomes in physical development.
“This is more than just a meeting; it’s a platform to bridge misunderstandings in the planning sector and drive change that benefits the wider public,” he said.
The NITP continues to advocate for full implementation of the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law, maintaining that its application will significantly reduce risks in the built environment and ensure safer urban growth across Nigeria.
