South West Nigeria charts unified path for urban development

Cityscope, Politics

LAGOS, Nigeria — 13 April 2026 (NPA) — The Lagos State Government has hosted the inaugural meeting of South West Commissioners for Physical Planning and Urban Development, signalling a new era of regional cooperation in tackling urbanisation challenges.

The one-day meeting, held at the Protea Select Hotel in Alausa, Ikeja, brought together Commissioners from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States, alongside representatives of the DAWN Commission, the South West Development Commission, senior government officials, urban planners and development experts.

With the theme “Forging Regional Integration Through Coordinated Physical Planning, Urban Development, and Sustainable Land Governance”, the gathering aimed to strengthen interstate collaboration as a foundation for sustainable growth.

Dr Oluyinka Olumide, Lagos Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, emphasised that the South West faces rapid urban expansion, infrastructure deficits and housing shortages. He stressed the need for coordinated planning across state borders, highlighting priorities such as shared waste management, regional transport networks and cross-border land use.

Participants commended Lagos State and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for championing the initiative. Permanent Secretary Engr. Oluwole Sotire linked the meeting to resolutions from the maiden Lagos Physical Planning Summit and announced that the second edition will take place in June, with invitations extended to regional stakeholders.

At the close of deliberations, delegates adopted key resolutions, including:

• Pursuing regional integration as a central strategy for sustainable development.
• Strengthening institutional frameworks to harmonise physical planning and land governance.
• Developing a comprehensive Western Region Master Plan to align infrastructure projects across states.
• Considering the establishment of a South West Regional Planning and Development Coordination Authority.
• Prioritising strategic transport corridors, coastal roads and inter-state connectivity as drivers of growth.

The meeting underscored a shared commitment to building a unified framework for urban development, positioning the South West as an interconnected physical and economic region prepared to meet the demands of the future.