African Journal of Geography and Regional Planning Vol. 1 (3), pp. 089-097, March, 2014.

Available online at
www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Educational Planning in Nigeria: Strategies for

improvement
Ileleji Ogofi Ola

Department of Geography and Planning, Kogi State University, P. M. B. 1008, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Tel: 234(0)8052871646. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 20 January, 2014

This paper traces the origin of planning Education in Nigeria. The paper shows that planning education
in Nigeria follows her colonial history in the sense that most of the earlier planners in the country were
trained abroad until University of Ibadan was established as a college of University of London in 1948.
Earlier planners were trained as geographers before their training in planning. Many Universities and
Polytechnics are now involved in Planning Education up to PhD level. The paper also shows that there
are professional training opportunities as administered by The Town Planners Registration Council of
Nigeria [TOPREC] and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners [NITP]. The paper concludes by making
recommendations on how to move Planning Education forward in contemporary Nigeria.

Key words: Planning, education, colonial, institute, professional.

INTRODUCTION

There are as many definitions of Planning as there are i.) Compilation and analyzing data on legal, political,
Planers. This is because planning is a multi-faceted cultural, demographic, sociological, physical and environ-
discipline which is so diverse in nature. In a nutshell, and mental factors affecting land-use.
according to Amokaye (2004), "Planning as a concept is ii.) Conferring or liaising with a wide range of government
a terminology that is very difficult to define but it has been bodies, interested stakeholders and the community.
agreed to involve a very complex management activity iii.) Recommends measures to address land-use,
that requires integrating the physical and biological environmental, community, transport, housing and infras-
resources in compatible use, and coordinating social, tructure issues.
cultural, economic, legal and political demands and con- iv) Advises government and other interested parties on
straints. It is effectively the operation of land use policy urban, regional, environmental and resource manage-
that reflects the value system of any society at any given ment issues.
time. As observed earlier by Allison (1975) "planning
consideration reflects the political, social and economic Whichever way we view planning, it is about people, it is
interest of the government". by the people and it is for the people. Consequently, it is
Planning is the orderly arrangement of physical futuristic; it is an act of formulating a programme for a
structures in order to make the environment aesthetically definite course of action.
pleasing. Olayemi (2000) sees planning as the prepara- Planning Education (PE) must be addressed by all the
tion and construction of plans in accordance with which stakeholders in the field of environmental management.
growth and extension of a tow, is to be regulated so as to This paper is designed to bring into bear, the level of PE
make the most of the natural advantages of the site, and in Nigeria (a rapidly urbanizing country in the world).
to secure the most advantageous conditions of housing
and traffic etc.
The import of planning can be better understood when Planning education (PE) in Nigeria
we look at what Planners do and in this direction, we
shall rely on the submissions of the Planning Institute of Planning Education (PE) in Nigeria is of three types.
Australia (2006).
Planners are involved in the following activities. i.) Educational Training
 Ileleji 089

ii.) Professional Training iii.) Town Planning. This was on till 1977 when the Higher
NITP/TOPREC Training National Diploma (HND) programme (equivalent to a first
degree) was introduced. Prior to this time, that is, in 1974,
PE in Nigeria is discussed under two main the Full Professional Diploma (FTP) in Town Planning
phases. Phase I: PE before independence was introduced with the assistance of the United National
Phase II: PE after independence Development Programme (UNDP) under Professor
Vagale (an Indian).
The student population in the 1960s ranges between
Phase I: Planning Education (PE before ten and twelve. There was an upsurge in the population
independence) in 1999/2000 session to one hundred and eighty-nine
students including the Saki campus. The staffing position
PE in Nigeria before independence follows the colonial at inception was very impressive with seventeen core
history of the country when we depended virtually on academic staff members.
Britain. During this period, the few trained Planners were The second Planning School, Yaba College of Techno-
trained overseas except for the few Geographers that logy took off in 1972 with a two year full time Ordinary
wee trained at the University of Ibadan (a college of National Diploma (OND) in Town Planning. By 1978, the
University of London) The first Professor of Geography in Higher National Diploma (HND) programme was
Nigeria Prof. Akin Mabogunje (a graduate of this Institute) introduced and in 1989, the Post Graduate Diploma in
contributed immensely to the field of planning globally. Town Planning was introduced to take care of training
Today, Professor Akin Mabogunje is being celebrated as requirements of Professionals. The first Planning School
one of the great Planners of Abuja (the Federal capital of in Northern Nigeria was established m 1973 at the
Nigeria) which was created in 1976. His role in Planning Kaduna Polytechnic as Department of Town Planning
and Planning Education (PE) has earned him a and Estate Management. It started with the Ordinary
honourary Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners National Diploma (HND) in Town Planning and Estate
(NITP). Management. Sixteen years after, the Post Graduate
Earlier professionals were first trained as Geographers Diploma (PGD) programme was introduced for the
before they finally moved into Planning. Several of them manpower requirements of Northern Nigeria. Today, the
were trained in University of Nothingham, England and Institute has produced about five hundred and three
the University of Australia, Melbourne among others. graduates. With the recent Federal Government directive,
Kaduna Polytechnic and Yaba College of Technology
have been converted to Universities. The implication of
Phase II: Planning Education (PE) after independence this conversion is that their Planning programmes are
(1960 to Date) expected to be overhauled to meet global trends in
Planning Education (PE).
With the arrival of some of these foreign trained Today, several universities and polytechnics are
Geographers/Planners, series of efforts were mounted on involved in Planning Education (PE) in Nigeria, A
government and spirited individuals on the need for comprehensive list of these schools and their status are
Planning Education (PE) in Nigeria. Series of meetings contained in (Table 1).
were held at the instance of Tpl. Pa. Solomon Tokun
(Doyen of Planning in Nigeria) in Ibadan and Lagos on
the need to establish a functional Institute for town NITP/TOPREC qualifying examinations for those that
planners in Nigeria. By September, 1966, the Nigerian are not directly registrable as professionals
Institute of Town Planners (NITP) was established with
thirty members from different parts of Nigeria. Late Chief The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and the
M. O. Onafowokan was elected as the first President of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC)
the Institute in 1968. He served in that capacity till 1974. have developed a curriculum in Planning Education (PE)
The foregoing laid a solid foundation for Planning in Nigeria. For others and graduates in allied disciplines
Education (PE) in Nigeria. such as Geography, Sociology, Law, Architecture, Estate
Management, Civil Engineering, Surveying and among
others, there is a qualifying examination in three parts.
Planning institutions in Nigeria Each of the parts has three stages, that is;

The first planning school in Nigeria is the Polytechnic, i.) Preliminary stage has three parts
Ibadan (then Technical College). It was established in ii.) Intermediate stage has three parts
1961 (a year after the country's independence). At iii.) Final sate also has three parts
inception, the school offered a three year course leading
to the award of Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Candidates with the Ordinary School Certificate must
090 Afr. J. Geogr. Reg. Plann.

Table 1. Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC)

Accreditation status of professional urban and regional planning programmes in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions

S/NO. Planning institutions and Date(s) accreditation Sessions/accreditation coverage REMARKS

programmes conducted
th th
01 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 28 – 29 Oct. 1992 1991/92 and 1992/93 Sessions Provisional Accreditation (2 years)
th th
(B.U.R.P) 16 – 17 June, 1997 1993/94, 1995/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000 Full Accreditation (5 years)
2001/2002, 2002/2003-2004
th th
14 – 17 Nov. 2001 2004-2005/, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 Provision (2 years)
th th
13 – 16 Feb. 2006 Full Accreditation (5 years)
02 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 1973/74, 1980, 1985 (NITP) 1873 to 1989/90 Full Accreditation of 5 years each
th th
(M.Sc. URP) 26 -27 June 1991 1990/91 – 1994/95 Full Accreditation (5 years)
th th
16 -17 June 1997 1992/93, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000 Full Accreditation (3 years)
2000/2001, 2001/2002 and 2002/2003-2004 respectively
th th
14 -17 Nov. 2001 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007, 2008 and 2008/2009 Provisional Accreditation (3 years)

th th
13 -16 Feb. 2006 Full accreditation (5 years)
th th
03 Abia State University, Uturu 14 -15 Feb. 1990 1989/90, 1990/91 Provisional (2 years)
th th
(B.U.R.P) 9 -10 Feb. 1994 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/95 and 1995/96 Provision (4 years)
th th
17 -20 Nov. 1998 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/2001 Full accreditation (5 years)
2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 respectively
th th
26 -29 April, 2004 Provisional (4 years)
th th
04. Enugu State University, Enugu 25 -26 May, 1995 1993/95, 1995/96, 1996/97 Provisional (3 years)
th th
(B.U.R.P.) 5 -8 August, 1998 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000 Full accreditation (5 years)
2000/2001 and 2001/2002 respectively
st rd
1 -3 Nov., 2004 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, Full accreditation (5 years)
2005/2006 and 2006/2007 sessions
th th
05 Enugu State University 25 -26 May, 1995 1993/95 – 1996/97 sessions Provisional (3 years)
(MURP)
rd th
06 Federal University of 23 -24 April, 1997 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98 sessions 1998/99, 1999/2000, Provisional (3 years)
th th
Technology, Akure (B. Tech.) 14 -16 Dec. 1999 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003 sessions Full accreditation (5 years)
2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006 and 2006/2007
th th
14 -15 June, 2004 Provisional (4 years)
th th
06b (i) Post Graduate Diploma 14 -16 Dec. 1999 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 sessions Provisional (2 years)
th th
FUTA 7 -10 Oct. 2002 2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006 Full Accreditation (5 years)
sessions
2003/2004, 2004/2005 sessions Provisional (2 years)
 Ileleji 091

Table 1. Contd.

07 University of Nigeria, Nsuka 1986 1986/87 Provisional (1 year)

(BURP) 1987/88, 1988/89 and 1990/91 sessions Provisional (4 years)
1987/88 1991/92 and 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98
rd th
ii) MURP 23 and 24 May, 1995 sessions 1 year waiver and Full Accreditation
UNN (BURP) 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/2001, 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 (5 years)
st rd
UNN (MURP) 1 and 3 Sept. 199 sessions. Full Accreditation (5 years)
2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008
th st
29 May–1 June, 2005 sessions Full Accreditation (5 years)
2003/2004, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 sessions.
Provisional (3 years)
th th
08 Obafemi Awolowo University 12 -13 Feb. 1990 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/95 Full Accreditation (5 years)
Ile Ife (B.Sc., URP) 1995/96 – 1999/2000
th th
27 – 28 May, 1997 2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 Full Accreditation (5 years)
nd th
Obafemi Awolowo University, 2 -4 Dec. 2003 sessions Full Accreditation (5 years)
Ile Ife 1984/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/1994
May, 1985 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98 Provisional (1 year)
th th
M.Sc. (U.R.P.) 12 -13 Feb. 1997 1998/99, 1999/2000 Full accreditation (5 years)
2001/2002, 2002/2003, 20004/2005
th th
27 -28 May, 1997 2004/2005, 2005/2006 sessions Full Accreditation (5 years)

nd th
2 – 4 Dec. 2003 Full Accreditation (5 years)
09 University of Benin, Benin 1986 and 1988 (NITP) 1/5/85 – 30/4/87 and Provisional Accred. (2 years each)
(M.U.R.P) 30/4/87 – 29/4/98 sessions
th th
29 – 30 May, 1990 1889/90 and 1990/91 sessions Provisional Accrd. (2 years) had
lapses and no feedback from them:
some sets have graduated without
accreditation, no recognition
granted for such sets.
10. University of Ibadan, Ibadan 1983 (NITP) 1982/83 – 1983/84 Provisional (2 years)
(M.U.R.P) April 1985 (NITP) 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88 Full Accreditation (5 years)
th th
16 -17 July, 90 1988/89, 1989/90 Provisional (2 years)
rd th
23 – 24 August, 1995 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93 Full Accreditation (5 years)
1993/95, 1995/96
30-11-02 1996/97 and 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000 Provisional by Council
2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003,
rd th
3 – 5 Feb. 2004 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 Full Accreditation (5 years)
092 Afr. J. Geogr. Reg. Plann.

Table 1. Contd.
th th
11 River State University of 10 – 11 Dec. 90 1990/91 and 1991/92 sessions Provisional (2 years)
th th
Science and Technology, 8 – 9 Oct. 1998 1997/1998 session only Provisional (1 year)
P/Harcourt (B. Tech.) 3 rd – 6th November, 2004 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007
and 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 Full Accreditation (5 years)
nd
22 April 2005
th th
12 Kaduna Polytechnic 25 – 26 June, 91 1990/91 and 1991/92 sessions Provisional Accreditation (2 years)
th th
(OND/HND) 7 – 8 May, 1996 1992/93, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96 and 1996/97 Full Accreditation (5 years)
1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 sessions
th th
16 – 17 Nov. 1998 2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005 and^ 2005/2006 Provisional Accreditation (4 years)
sessions.
nd th
22 – 24 Oct. 2002 Full Accreditation (5 years)
th th
13. Yaba College of Technology, 13 -14 Dec. 1989 1990/91, 1991/92 sessions Provisional Accreditation (2 years)
th th
Yaba (Postgraduate Diploma) 17 and 18 Feb. 1994 1992/93 – 1996/97 sessions Full Accreditation (5 years)
th th
28 – 29 June, 1999 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/2001, 2001/2002 sessions. Full Accreditation (5 years)
2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007
th th
12 – 14 June, 2004 sessions. Full Accreditation (5 years)
14. The Polytechnic, Ibadan 1974 1975/76 – 1979/80 Full Accreditation (5 years)
1984 1980/81 – 1984/85 Full Accreditation (5 years)
1991 1985/86 – 1989/90 Full Accreditation (5 years)
i) Post-HND 1990/91 – 1994/95
th th
17 – 18 June, 97 1995/96 – 1999/2000. Provision (2 years)
th th
17 – 19 Feb. 02 2000/2001 – 2001/2002 Provisional (2 years)
ii) Part-Time Post-HND

th th
17 – 19 Feb. 02 2001/2002 – 2002/2003 sessions Provisional (3 years)
th th
15. Federal University of 10 – 12 April, 1996 1992/93 – 1994/95 Provisional (3 years)
th th
Technology, Yola 10 – 13 Sept. 2000 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/2001, 2001/2002 Provisional (4 years)
2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008
th th
(i) (B. Tech. 27 – 28 July, 2004 INCONCLUSIVE Full Accreditation (5 years)
(ii) (M. Tech.) 2005/2006, 2006/2007 sessions
th th
28 – 29 July, 2004 NO ACCREDITATION GRANTED
th th
10 – 15 April, 2006 Provisional (2 years)
th th
16. Ladoke Akintola University of 8 – 10 July, 1997 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000 Provisional (3 years)
th st
Technology, Ogbomosho (B. 19 – 21 Feb. 2002 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, Full Accreditation (5 years)
Tech.) P.G.D. M. Tech. 2005/2006
NOT YET PRESENTED FOR
TOPREC ACCREDITATION
 Ileleji 093

Table 1. Contd.
th st
17. Federal University of 18 – 21 Oct. 1998 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000 Provisional Accreditation (3 years)
th th
Technology Minna (B.Tech.) 8 – 11 Dec. 2001 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 Provisional Accreditation (4 years)
th th
18. Lagos State University 27 – 29 Nov. 1999 1998/1999, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 Provisional Accreditation (1 year)
th th
(MURP) 10 – 13 June, 2004 2003/2004, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 (No 2002/2003 session in Provisional Accreditation (3 year)
the institution)
th th
19. Federal Polytechnic, Auchi 9 – 10 Nov. 1999 1997/98 session. Provisional Accreditation (1 year)
th th
10 – 13 Sept. 2000 1998/99, 1999/200, 2000/2001 Provisional Accreditation (4 years)
2001/2002
rd th
23 – 26 Aug. 2004 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 sessions Full Accreditation (5 years)
st th
20. Imo State University 21 – 24 Oct. 2001 1999/2000 Provisional (1 year)
th th
12 – 14 May, 2004 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, and 2005/2006 sessions Provisional Accreditation (4 years)
th
21. University of Uyo BURP and 1-th – 13 March, 1999 Advisory Accreditation NIL
th
(MURP) 25 May, 2002 1999/2000, 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, Provisional (3 years)
th th
9 – 11 May, 2004 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 sessions Provisional Accreditation (4 years)
st nd
22. Tafawa Balewa University, 31 Jan. 2 Feb. 2001 Advisory Accreditation NIL ACCREDITATION
Bauchi
th th
23. University of Lagos 13 – 15 Feb. 2001 Advisory visitation NIL
th th
26 – 29 Nov. 2002 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 respectively
nd rd
22 – 23 Sept. 2003 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 Provisional Accreditation (2 years)
sessions.
No. 2003/2004 session. Full Accreditation (5 years)
th th
24. University of Jos 16 – 19 Jan. 2006 Advisory Accreditation visitation NIL ACCREDITATION
th th
25. Benue State University 5 – 7 Oct. 2005 Advisory Accreditation visitation NIL ACCREDITATION
st nd
26. Cross River University 1 – 2 June, 2006 Advisory Accreditation visitation NIL ACCREDITATION
th
Dated 14 November, 2005 by the Registrar of Town Planners Registration Council (TOPREC)
th
Source: NITP 40 Anniversary celebrations, (2006)

have credits in at least five subjects including stage three of the final part (professional stage). Town Planners (RTP), of these 1,304 are
English and Mathematics, Geography and two After qualifying, they are then admitted into Corporate Members; 167 Fellows (FNITP).
other subjects are admitted to the stage 1 of the Graduate Membership cadre. Two years after, In terms of contributions to Planning Education
preliminary stage. With this arrangement it takes a they move on to Corporate Membership of the (PE) in Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Town
minimum of nine years to get qualified as a Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (MNITP). Such Planners (NITP) has organized a series of
graduate member of the Nigerian Institute of Town a member now qualifies for the Town Planners Conferences between January, 1969 and Novem-
Planners. Registration Council Examination to be certified ber, 2006. Details are shown in Table 2 below.
Graduates in allied fields are admitted into stage fully as a Chartered Town Planner or Registered Furthermore, the Nigerian Institute of Towns
two of the final part. On the other hand, graduates Town Planner (RTP). Planners (NITP) has organized series of work-
with Masters Degree or Ph.D. are admitted into In Nigeria today, there are 1,528 Registered shops aimed at educating the populace on the
094 Afr. J. Geogr. Reg. Plann.

Table 2. Annual conference from 1969 – 2006. Planning Education through Annual Conferences since 1969 to date. Papers
were presented on different themes each year.

No. Date Theme Venue

1. January 1969 Town Planning in National reconstruction Lagos
2. April 1971 Role of Traffic and Transportation in the Industrialization on Nigerian Lagos
3. April 1972 Housing in National Development Lagos
4. September 1973 Planning Machinery in Nigeria Benin City
5. November 1974 Physical planning and the Human Environment Kano
6. October, 1976 Toward a Better Human Environment Enugu
7. November 1976 Planning and Development of Capital Cities Ibadan
8. October 1977 The Integration of Economic and Physical Planning Lagos
9. October 1978 Planning Adequately for the Needs of Nigerians Kaduna
10. January 1979 Strategies for physical planning in the 80’s Benin
11. October 1980 Environmental Management in Nigeria Jon
12. November 1981 Physical planning under a presidential system of government Abeokuta
13. October 1982 Town Planning Education and practice in Nigeria Owerri
14. October 1983 Physical planning in a Depressed Economy Ibadan
15. October 1984 Physical planning in Disaster Areas Sokoto
16. October 1985 Harnessing the Nation’s Resources Through planning Ilorin
17. October 1986 Rural planning and Development: A Strategy in National Economic Lagos
Recovery
18. October 1987 Physical planning at a cross road in Nigeria Kaduna
19. October 1988 Planning legislation in Nigeria: Closing the gaps Abuja
20. October 1989 The challenges of physical planning in the 90s Enugu
21. October 1990 Physical planning and environmental protection Kano
22. November 1991 A quarter of a century of physical planning in Nigeria the way ahead Lagos
23. September 1992 Urban Management in Nigeria in the Nineties: Problems and Prospects Maiduguri
24. October 1993 The 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law and sharing a new course Yola
for physical development in Nigeria
25. November 1994 The Implementation of the National physical planning policies and laws: Calabar
Problems and prospects
26. October 1995 Towards effective physical planning of oil and solid mineral resources Jos
areas in Nigeria: problems and prospects
27. October 1996 Physical planning and Nigeria’s socio-economic Development in the Benin City
st
21 century
st
28. 1997 Sustainable cities for Nigeria in the 21 century: the way forward Abuja, FCT
29. 1998 Urban Management as a strategy for moving Nigeria forward into the Makurdi
next Millennium
30. 1999 Urban and Rural planning in a democratic setting Akure
31. 2000 The Role of physical planning and Development in poverty alleviation Minna
32. 2001 Delivering Democracy Dividend: The Role of Town Planning and the Uyo
Town Planner
33. 2002 Urban Governance in Nigeria Ilorin
34. 2003 The Nigerian Urban Development Policy Abeokuta
35. 2004 Physical planning standards and environmental management Bauchi
36. 2005 Physical planning and the petroleum industry in Nigeria Enugu
37. November 2006 Four decades of Town Planning profession in Nigeria: The challenges Abuja, FCT
ahead
th
Source: NITP 40 Anniversary celebrations (2006 pp 87 – 88)
 Adeleye 129

Ileleji 095

Table 3. NITP workshops (1995 – 1999).

S/No. Themes Date Venue

1. Development Control within the context of the new Urban and March 1995 Abeokuta,
Regional Planning law Decree No. 88 of 1992. Ogun
2. Implementing Physical Planning Programems under the 1992 July 1995 Ilorin, Kwara
Urban and Regional planning Law-Decree no. 88 of 1992
3. Acquisition of Land for Public use in Nigeria March 1996 Sokoto, Sokoto
4. Managing Nigerian Urban settlements for National April 1997 Ibadan, Oyo
st
Development in the 21 Century: A challenge to Physical
Planning Practice
5. The future of Planning Practice within the context of the May 1998 Port Harcourt,
Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law Rivers
* The workshop sessions have now been replaced with the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP).
th
Source: NITP 40 Anniversary Celebration (2006).

following themes as presented in Table 3. and techniques in the practice worldwide

iii.) Improving the professional competence of urban
planners and allied professionals in facing the challenges
The town planners registration council of Nigeria of future planning practice.
(TOPREC)
The programme is compulsory for all Registered Town
The TOPREC was established by Decree No. 3 of 1988 Planners and all Corporate Members of the Institute but
(now CAP 431 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). essential for all other professionals in Nigeria. Table 4
th
Specifically, it was signed into law on 30 November, shows the themes and venues of MCPDP from 1999 to
1988. The Council is charged with the following date.
responsibilities:

i.) Regulating the practice of planning in Nigeria. Problems of planning education (PE) in Nigeria
ii.) Determining who are Town Planners
iii.) Setting of minimum standard of knowledge required Planning Education in Nigeria (even though recent) is
by persons seeking to become members of the beset with myriads of problems but as observed by Agwu
profession and reviewing from time to time, such (2006), “the falling standard of education in Nigeria has
standards been discussed privately at homes and work places and
iv.) Maintenance of a register of professionals in the in public both in churches and mosques. With the recent
planning profession. Post-Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
v.) Review and publication of syllabus for training of town screening examinations for university admission, the
planners in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. evidence is becoming clearer even to the doubting
Thomas." He concluded that it is impossible to dissociate
It has a forty- member Governing Council headed by the the crises in planning education (PE) from the collapse of
President. As a way of ensuring proper and continuous the Nigeria employment sector".
development of Professional Planners, the Nigeria Some of the very apparent problems facing planning
institute of Town Planners (NITP) and Town Planers education (PE) in Nigeria include but not limited to the
Registration Council of Nigeria (TO PRE C) started a following:
mandatory training programme tagged Mandatory
Continuing Professional Development Programme i.) The learning environment is ill-equipped for modem
[MCPDP]. The maiden edition was held in 1999 in three Planning. Several institutes of planning operate below
centres namely: Kaduna, Owerri and Ibadan. standard in their design and studio work.
ii.) The teaching environment has also greatly affected
effective teaching of planning education (PE) in Nigeria.
The MCPDP is primarily aimed at Most of the teachers are not exposed to the impacts of
Information Communication Technology (lCT) in their
i.) Improving on a continuous basis the knowledge and teaching and Research. They are those regarded as
skills of Urban and Regional Planners and allied Analogue Planners. The importance of the use of Geo
professional in the practice of their profession. Information System (GIS) in Planning Education (PE)
ii.) Exploring participants to emerging concepts, trends cannot be overemphasized here yet; many are not ready
096 Afr. J. Geogr. Reg. Plann.

Table 4. MCTPD themes and venues (1999 – 2006).

S/No. Theme/topics Year Centres

1. The changing nature of cities and the challenges of planning practice: A 1999 Kaduna, Owerri and Ibadan
global perspective: settlement development over the years in Nigeria and the (Maiden
challenges of their Management. Scope of Professional services of the edition)
Urban and Regional Development
2. Computer Appreciation and Applications in Planning 2000 Kano, Enugu and Abeokuta
3. Planning Projects, Consultancies: Ethics/code and Ever changing standard 2001 Umahia, Benin-City and Jos
of behaviour and Ethics for Urban and Regional Planners (URP)
4. Management of Planning Projects Communication and writing skills 2001 Lagos, Abuja and Port
Harcourt
5. The Urban and Regional Planning Process, Development control and 2003 Calabar, Asaba and Kaduna
Financing Planning Projects
6. Geographic Information System and Land Information: System and Urban 2004 Lokoja, Owerri and Aba
and Regional Planning
7. Public Relations Management, Financial Management, Current trends in 2005 Port-Harcourt Kano and Akure
Information gathering, Interpretation and Utilization, in URP, Project
Management as a Process
8. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); Urban and Regional Planning 2006 Uyo, Ibadan and Jos
Practice in Achieving MDGs; NEEDS as a Tool for Ensuring Sustainability
th
Source: NITP 40 Anniversary Celebrations (2006)

to move to the digital phase in both research and education (PE) in Nigeria. These can be done through;
teaching.
iii.) Funding is another very serious problem affecting i.) Improved funding of the system
planning education (PE) in Nigeria. Some planning ii.) Provision of modem ICT facilities and immediate
departments in our tertiary institutions rely on a monthly training and re-training of old professionals in the
imprest of N4, 000.00 (four thousand naira only) about analogue arena.
$26 (twenty six U.S. Dollars) Research grants are not iii.) The Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria
forthcoming, attendance at conferences, workshops/ (TOPREC) should redesign its accreditation strategies for
seminars are not being supported by government. In a professionals to be a player in the global market.
situation like this, the much needed cross- fertilization of iv.) Planning education (PE) should be introduced into
ideas among professionals will be a missing link. schools curriculum at an early stage i.e. from primary to
iv.) Shortage of professionals in the planning education tertiary levels. With this, everybody will be environment-
arena is another vital issue. The recently concluded tally literate and therefore planning conscious.
accreditation exercise into the various programmes in v.) Series of awareness programmes on the essence of
Nigerian universities reveals a disappointing result of planning education (PE) should be vigorously pursued by
ratio 1:50 as against the National Universities all stakeholders in the planning environment. In this
Commission standards of 1:15. This calls for serious direction, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP)
worry in a growing nation like Nigeria. in conjunction with the National Orientation Agency
v.) The non-implementation of the 1992 urban and (NOA) of the federal government of Nigeria can enter into
regional planning laws of Nigeria is another impediment collaborative efforts at making Nigeria a safe country.
to planning education (PE). By law, all local government
areas in Nigeria are expected to employ at least three
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Amokaye GO (2004). Environmental law and Practice in Nigeria.
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Olayemi AB (2000). Town Planning – A Balancing Factor Between
There is an urgent need to provide an enabling Development and Environmental protection. Text of a Paper
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UN-HABITAT (2006). 2005 Annual Report. UNSHP, Kenya.