Experts and stakeholders in the housing sector have called for a unified front in tackling Nigeria’s housing and urban planning challenges.

The call was made on Friday at the unveiling of the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy, held alongside the 70th birthday thanksgiving of the immediate past President of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Nathaniel Atebije.

The event brought together key stakeholders from across the built environment, who used the occasion to emphasise the urgent need for coordinated advocacy, professional leadership, and people-centred planning to ensure a future of affordable and inclusive housing for all Nigerians.

Speaking at the event, President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Akintoye Adeoyo, stated that “housing is a fundamental human right. Every Nigerian deserves the dignity of a home.

“Through strategic advocacy, meaningful partnerships, and forward-thinking innovation, like the foundation we are launching today, we can make this vision a reality.”

Adeoye stressed the significance of collaboration, citing the roles of REDAN, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, and other institutions in driving sustainable housing development.

“We believe real estate is not just about constructing buildings; it is about shaping lives, communities, and economies. Advocacy plays a vital role in building a housing sector that is inclusive, well-regulated, and sustainable,” he said.

The REDAN president honoured Atebije’s legacy, describing him as a “visionary leader” whose efforts have shaped Nigeria’s urban development.

“His leadership and vision laid a solid foundation for structured urban planning, which is critical to Nigeria’s sustainable development,” Adeoye said.

Chairman of the Planning Committee Festus Adebayo highlighted Atebije’s lifelong commitment to excellence and integrity, calling him a “builder of both cities and people.”

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the foundation, Adebayo said, “Nathaniel Atebije has not only shaped the built environment through his work in planning and development, but he has also shaped lives through his dedication to mentoring, advocacy, and excellence.”

In his address, John Abuh, Chairman of the occasion, bemoaned the state of urban infrastructure and leadership disconnect, recalling historical missteps and missed opportunities in urban development across the country.

“We travel for Hajj, to Jerusalem, to Europe, we admire what we see, but return home with no intention to implement those ideas. The result? Planlessness. And we can’t continue like this,” he said.

Abuh called for the appointment of qualified professionals in planning roles, decrying the normalisation of poor planning and lawlessness.

“You go to some areas and see drainage systems that are barely a foot wide. You raise concerns, and a minister responds, ‘Isn’t it better than nothing?’ What kind of logic is that?”

The recurring theme among speakers was a passionate appeal for unity in advocacy and action across the housing and planning sectors.

“We must draw a clear line between mere development and purposeful advocacy. Advocacy drives reform, informs policy, and pushes boundaries,” Adeoye said.

The newly launched Nathaniel Atebije Foundation is expected to become a platform for policy engagement, professional training, and public awareness on the critical role of planning in national development.

The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Adamu Ahmed, in his address, emphasised the importance of reflecting on the moral imperatives that underlie planning practices, particularly in light of Nigeria’s ongoing urban challenges.

Speaking on the topic, “The Ethics of Space and the Moral Imperatives of Urban Planning,” Ahmed argued that urban planning should be seen not merely as a technical exercise but as a moral responsibility.

He highlighted persistent issues such as gentrification, informal settlements, and social inequality, stressing that they contradict the principles of space ethics, which he described as the fair and just distribution of land and resources.

“Planning must be rooted in fairness and human dignity, not just efficiency and growth,” he said.