Dangiwa Criticizes States Over 30-Year Delay in Urban Planning Law Implementation
Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has criticized state governments for failing to adopt and enforce the Urban and Regional Planning Law (Decree 88 of 1992), more than three decades after its enactment. Speaking at a colloquium organized by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) in Abuja, Dangiwa described the delay as a major obstacle to achieving orderly and sustainable urban development across the country.
According to the Minister, only two states, one of which is Katsina, have domesticated the national planning framework, leaving the rest of the country operating without an updated legal and institutional structure for spatial planning. He attributed this stagnation to weak institutional capacity, fragmented governance structures, and limited public awareness of the importance of urban planning in driving growth and livability.
Dangiwa noted that the absence of effective planning laws at the state level continues to undermine efforts to manage rapid urbanization, leading to unregulated development, congestion, and inadequate infrastructure in major cities. “Regrettably, only two states have adopted and operationalized this law,” he said, calling on state authorities to take planning seriously as a core component of sustainable development.
Policy Reforms Underway
The Minister highlighted that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has concluded the review of the National Urban Development Policy to align with current realities. He added that new policies on Physical Planning Standards and Rural Settlements are being finalised to promote balanced regional development and modernise Nigeria’s urban governance framework.
He stressed that the federal government’s objective is to establish a coherent planning system that fosters inclusivity, efficiency, and resilience in cities nationwide. This, he said, requires close collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities, as well as professional bodies like the NITP, to ensure compliance and implementation.
Conclusion
Dangiwa urged state governments to prioritize the adoption of the Urban and Regional Planning Law and strengthen institutions responsible for land use and development control. He emphasized that sustainable growth and the creation of livable communities depend on proper planning, coordination, and adherence to modern urban development principles.
