Town planning experts in Ogun have advocated for proper consultation before building to prevent unnecessary demolitions of houses in the state.
They affirmed that Ogun State is undergoing significant changes in urban planning under the current administration, commending Gov. Dapo Abiodun for ensuring a master plan.
Mr. Sogbesan Adefala, the Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP) in Ogun State, said this during the 2025 Annual General meeting held in Abeokuta on Wednesday, October 15.
This is coming as the Lagos State Government has denied involvement in the recent demolition of structures on the Sixth Avenue, FESTAC Town.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said this on Tuesday, October 14, in Alausa.
Olumide said that the state government had no hand in the demolitions and followed a clear process before bringing down any structure.
He said that such process included giving all necessary notices and engaging with people who may be affected.
The commissioner urged all agencies, including federal ones, to always consult and get clearance from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development before carrying out any demolition.
“We want to assure residents that the Lagos State Government is committed to fairness, due process and protection of property rights.
“Any demolition done without proper authorisation does not represent the position of this administration,” he said.
In Ogun State, Adefala said that the state government is reviewing urban laws and seeking input from relevant stakeholders, including town planners, to ensure that policies are informed by expertise and community needs for excellent development.
He emphasised that town planners are not just about demolishing houses, but rather about making settlements more livable.
Adefala urged residents to consult town planners before embarking on any development to avoid unnecessary demolitions.
“The key to avoiding demolitions is to do things right from the start. We have town planners who work with the government and consultants who can provide adequate advice,” he said.
Adefela also highlighted the importance of continuous professional development, noting that society benefits when professionals improve their skills and knowledge.
The Guest Lecturer, Prof. Leke Oduwaye, observed that Ogun State is developing rapidly, and without proper settlement planning, the state risks losing out.
Oduwaye, who spoke on the theme: “Conflicting Rationality: The Challenge of Urban and Physical Development in Nigeria”, noted that planning a settlement is cost-effective and enhances land value, making it top priority for investors.
He recommended that planners reconsider their approach to addressing social issues, acknowledging the significant gaps between theory, principle, and stakeholders’ perspectives.
Oduwaye, who is the Head of Department of the Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Lagos, stressed the need to review the overlapping roles of various professional groups/disciplines through legislation.
He observed that “corruption is the root of all urban physical development, and it must be corrected.”
“So, because once you draw a plan, the value of the land will go up, and the value is what developers want.
“Take for instance, when they’re coming to Nigeria, let’s say from Europe or from America, they want to see a plan before they even arrive, it’s an industrial area, and they want to relate it to the airport.
“They want to relate it to the highways; they want to relate it to the railway, to be able to move their products. That’s the way they’re thinking before they arrive.
“In 20 years, everywhere in Ogun state will be looking orderly and seamless because the master plan will track where you should put rail, foot rail, whether from the Iperu airport.
“For example, a new rail to link Olokola; before you know you will just see a developer from China that will build rail from Iperu to Olokala. That is the essence of masterplan,” he said.
By Joy Akinsanya and Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe