World Habitat Day: Niger prioritises urban planning, secure land, affordable housing

The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sound urban planning, secure land administration and affordable housing as essential pillars of the New Niger Agenda.

The state Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Hon. Bello Ahmadu Agwara, stated this while representing Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at the 2026 World Habitat Day celebration held at Haske Luxury Hotel, Minna, under the theme, “Sound Planning, Secure Land: The Foundation for Adequate Housing and Liveable Neighbourhoods in the New Niger.”

Hon. Agwara said the rapid expansion of Minna, Suleja, Bida and other urban centres required deliberate planning and infrastructure development. He stressed that adequate housing goes beyond buildings to include accessible roads, drainage, electricity, water, healthcare, education and security.

He said the government was developing strategic growth areas and regenerating neglected urban spaces to promote orderly development, attract investment and improve access to affordable housing across the state’s 25 local government areas.

The Commissioner also called for stronger public-private partnerships to make decent housing accessible, particularly to low-income earners and vulnerable groups.

In his virtual keynote address, Dr. Tobi Sowole, an SFTAS consultant and GIS specialist, said effective planning, reliable land information and institutional coordination were essential to managing urban expansion, warning that development without proper planning makes infrastructure provision more difficult and expensive.

Dr. Sowole highlighted four major initiatives: the Greater Suleja Development Plan, Minna Downtown Redevelopment, Jazu–Chanchaga Development Corridor and Bida Ring Road Corridor Plan. He advocated digital land records, geographical information systems and effective development control to protect public land, preserve green spaces and improve transparency.

Also speaking virtually, Prof. Muyiwa Elijah Agunbiade of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos, said the success of the development plans would depend on effective implementation, sustainable financing and clear institutional responsibilities. He called for community participation and partnerships among government, professionals, investors and development partners.

Prof Agunbiade urged the government to integrate land use with housing, agriculture, employment and essential services while protecting infrastructure corridors and public land.

He also stressed the need for inclusive planning that considers low-income earners, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Dr. Abdul Husaini, described urban planning as a collective responsibility requiring cooperation among government agencies, professionals, communities and investors.

He said the celebration provided an opportunity to address urban challenges, including flooding, poor sanitation, inadequate housing, insecurity and infrastructure deficits.

Dr. Husaini highlighted government plans for Greater Suleja, Minna Downtown and major development corridors, stressing that coordinated planning would improve connectivity, guide expansion and make public infrastructure easier to provide. He commended the participating institutions for their collaboration and urged stakeholders to sustain the partnership.

The National President of the Nigeria Environmental Society (NES), Prof. Muhammad Bashar Nuhu, who joined virtually, commended the organisers and called for sustained efforts to promote secure land administration and environmentally responsible development.

He noted that improved road access was opening up urban and rural areas but stressed the need to complement infrastructure development with sound planning.

Prof. Nuhu advocated the use of modern technology, research, innovation and artificial intelligence to strengthen land administration and urban planning. He also called for environmental education, community participation and neighbourhood initiatives to improve sanitation, waste management and public safety, assuring the state of NES’s readiness to collaborate with relevant institutions.

The General Manager of GIS Transcorp, Khalil Zahran, said the organisation was supporting the digitisation of land records and the introduction of an integrated digital land management system in Niger State. He explained that the initiative would improve land documentation, service delivery, transparency, accountability and internally generated revenue.

Engineer Ahmed Tanko, who represented the Chairman of the New Niger Development Project, Mustapha Abubakar Bida, said the initiative aligned with the government’s vision of building a well-planned and liveable Niger State. He noted that preparing master plans for growing urban centres would help manage expansion and guide sustainable development.

The Chairman of the occasion and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Wole Morenikeji, stressed the importance of engaging qualified professionals in urban planning and development control. He warned that poorly managed growth could turn well-designed residential areas into slums, adding that transportation, industrialisation and urbanisation must be planned together.

A major highlight was the presentation of a Certificate of Recognition to the Niger State Government by UN-Habitat and Shanghai University under the International Outstanding Practices on Urban Regeneration (IOPUR) 2025 initiative for the Minna Cemetery Regeneration Project. The initiative was recognised for improving cemetery infrastructure, accessibility, drainage and other facilities that promote dignity and better management of urban spaces.

The celebration also featured a student’s spoken-word competition themed “My Land, My Home, The Nigeria of My Dream.” Salamatu Mohammed Hafizu of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, emerged winner, receiving ₦25,000 from the organisers and ₦30,000 from the Ministry, alongside a two-year academic sponsorship announced by the Commissioner. Other outstanding participants were also promised cash rewards with certificates presented to them.

The event was organised by the Niger State ministries responsible for Lands and Survey, Housing and Urban Development, and Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project, Niger State Urban Development Board, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Niger State Chapter, and Regional Centre of Expertise Minna. Participants called for sustained collaboration to translate development plans into secure land rights, affordable housing and liveable neighbourhoods.