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The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to enforce the Campus Master Plan (CMP) policies for universities and polytechnics.
Dr Ogbonna Chime, the NITP President, made the call while addiressing a news conference on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Abuja.
Chime said te CMPs are crucial for guiding the development of educational institutions, ensuring a well-organised and functional campus layout.
“There is a strong need for every higher Institution of learning to have a master plan prepared for its orderly growth and development.
“While the policy and its implementation regulations are in existence, it has become necessary for the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to enforce the above regulations with the precision they deserve.
“NITP is worried that it is the absence of this vital physical guidance document – campus CMP that have continued to cause confusion in the appointment of director of Physical Planning in our various higher institutions.
“Conventionally, a consultant Town Planner is saddled with the responsibilities of preparing master plans for our universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education.”
Chime explained that the document so prepared and approved by the relevant town planning agency of government, controls the orderly physical growth and development of every campus.
The NITP president insisted that the implementation of these plans should be handled exclusively by Registered Town Planners, noting that they are the most qualified professionals to oversee compliance.
Chime added that the appointment of director of physical planning should be the exclusive reserve of Registered Town Planners.
He said that this would ensure that all provisions in the approved campus master plans were implemented without confusion since the producer of the document is the implementer.
Chime said that NITP has also noted the wrong approach by many state governments in their attempts to mistake Geographic Information System (GIS) for Urban and Regional Planning, Land Surveying and Lands Departments in the management of their land resources.
He said that it should be noted that the GIS as a system is not an end to itself but a means to an end, just like other components in land management.
He added that the town planning, survey and lands departments produce the raw materials – planning schemes, parcellated survey plans and so on, that make GIS operations relevant.
“Without the plans generated by these traditional professional departments, the use of geographic information service will be of no use.
“Care should also be taken in the appointment of the Head of any GIS unit.
“He or she must have enough background in any of the three traditional departments to avoid conflicts of interest,” he explained.
The president said that urban and regional planning plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic advancement of a nation.
He commended the Federal Government for taking measures to embrace urban and regional planning through the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, ratification of the New Urban Development Policy under and creation of Regional Development Commissions across the country’s geopolitical zones.
He also commended governors of Lagos, Enugu, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory Minister for the decisive measures taken to actualise certain provisions of urban and regional planning.
The NITP urged the NITP National Assembly Liaison Committee to engage the National Assembly on urban and regional planning issues in Nigeria.
Dr Ramatu Aliyu, the Chairman of the Committee and Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), pledged to advocate for policies promoting sustainable development, enhance NITP profession’s visibility, and foster collaboration.
According to her, urban and regional planning regulates physical planning activities, land use planning, development control, and environmental impact assessment, among others, so it’s full implementation will benefit the nation.
By Angela Atabo
