Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele has urged proactive physical planning to tackle slums, flooding and challenges linked to rapid urban growth.
She made the call at the 40th anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Ogun State chapter. The event took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta.
The anniversary theme was “Honouring the Past, Designing the Future.”
Salako-Oyedele said population growth, industrial expansion and migration from neighbouring Lagos State were putting pressure on Ogun’s infrastructure. Without proper planning, she warned, communities could face worsening traffic, flooding, environmental damage and unplanned settlements.
Ogun continues to attract residents seeking affordable housing, jobs and business opportunities. Investments in roads and the Gateway International Airport are also creating new economic prospects.
However, this growth places greater demands on roads, drainage, water supply, sanitation, schools and healthcare facilities.
Salako-Oyedele said planning authorities must identify emerging growth areas before construction expands. She also called for land reservations for public infrastructure and better integration of new estates into existing communities.
Developers, investors and property owners should work closely with planning authorities, she added. These institutions must provide clear guidance and encourage orderly development.
The deputy governor cited the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning Development Law of 2022, the Planning and Development Regulations of 2025, and the Ogun State Building Code of 2025 as key reforms.
She stressed that effective implementation would determine whether these measures deliver results.
Transparent procedures and timely application processing are essential, she said. Planning authorities must also communicate clearly with stakeholders and enforce regulations when violations threaten public safety.
Technology can further strengthen the planning process. Salako-Oyedele encouraged the use of geographic information systems, satellite imagery, digital mapping and artificial intelligence to improve monitoring and decision-making.
She also called for inclusive communities that meet the needs of women, children, older people, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Guest lecturer and University of Lagos professor Timothy Nubi said Ogun had missed development opportunities because successive administrations failed to prioritise physical planning.
He noted that Ogun State was created in 1976, while town planners began organising themselves in the state in 1986. The state also prepared its pressure-area plan in 2005, nearly three decades after its creation.
According to Nubi, delays in planning and weak implementation contributed to the state’s urban development challenges.
He urged the government to strengthen planning institutions and place physical planning at the centre of development decisions. Nubi also called for stronger urban renewal efforts in communities such as Mowe and Ibafo, where slum conditions require attention.
The anniversary gave town planners an opportunity to review past achievements and discuss ways to improve development across Ogun State.
As the state expands its residential, industrial and transport infrastructure, effective physical planning will remain essential. Strong enforcement, modern technology and cooperation between government and private developers can help reduce slum growth and flooding risks.
