The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to transforming Nigeria’s informal settlements into dignified and livable communities, describing it as a key priority of the present administration.
He made the commitment during a courtesy visit to his office by the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), led by its National President, Dr. Ogbonna Chime.
Darma identified several areas across the country, including Makoko in Lagos State, Gishiri in Abuja, and selected settlements in Kano and Port Harcourt, as communities requiring urgent upgrading from slum conditions. He pledged that the ministry’s forthcoming urban development policy would prioritise the transformation of such areas to improve living conditions for residents.
He also acknowledged that a regional and urban development law enacted in 1992 had yet to be fully implemented, and said the ministry would undertake a comprehensive review of the legislation. He noted that collaboration with the Regional Development Ministry would be essential in determining how to achieve full implementation, while inviting the NITP to provide further technical guidance.
On the use of indigenous expertise, the minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to engaging local consultants exclusively, describing it as a deliberate strategy to promote employment, enhance skills transfer, and strengthen local capacity within the built environment sector.
“The Ministry already trained individually about 2000 of them to get skills in the built environment, and these young people are all over Nigeria applying what they learnt,” he said.
Addressing concerns about workforce gaps created by retirements, Engr. Darma urged professionals and public servants to embrace innovation and Artificial Intelligence, noting that technology would play a central role in the future of work.
He stressed that Artificial Intelligence would not replace individuals who understand and effectively apply it, encouraging continuous learning and upskilling among professionals.
On funding concerns raised during the visit, the minister advised the NITP and other professional bodies to explore innovative approaches to sustaining their operations, stating the need for creative solutions to remain relevant and functional.
He further invited the institute to submit additional recommendations and technical input for consideration in the ministry’s forthcoming strategic development plan.
Earlier, the NITP President, Dr. Ogbonna Chime, said the visit was to formally welcome the minister and reaffirm the institute’s readiness to support the ministry in achieving its mandate.
He urged the government to intensify efforts toward the full implementation of the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law, describing it as essential for effective physical planning and sustainable urban development in Nigeria.
