The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Ogun State Chapter, has raised concerns over the rapid population growth in industrial hubs like Ilaro and Ibese, warning that infrastructure is not keeping pace.
State chairman Adefela Sogbesan, speaking after the institute’s monthly meeting in Ilaro, said:
“It is evident that our communities are experiencing a population boom without commensurate infrastructure to support it. The implications for housing, transportation, drainage, education, and healthcare are alarming.”
He attributed the surge to industries such as Dangote Cement, which have turned the area into a major industrial corridor.
During a courtesy visit to the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Deputy Rector Lukman Lasisi stressed that town planning should create balanced, livable environments and sought NITP’s help in resolving a blocked culvert near the campus. He assured collaboration but noted that government guidelines require paper presentations before sponsoring conferences.
Sogbesan highlighted that modern urban planning now incorporates “climate science, data analytics, infrastructure finance, and urban governance,” calling for joint projects on sustainable development.
The team also met Yewa South LG Chairman, Hon. Abraham Ogunsola, who pledged to prioritise sustainable infrastructure, describing it as “a necessity for the area’s fast-growing population.”
At the meeting, members postponed their state elections to September and prepared for October’s AGM in Abuja. They also raised funds for the NITP-OG building project, with former MAPOLY Rector Waheed Kadiri donating ₦250,000. Kadiri urged members to uphold professional ethics, advising them “not to prioritise immediate gains over professionalism.”
