Dr Idris Salako Advocates Collaboration in Urban Planning

Dr Idris Salako, a town planning expert and former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, called for enhanced collaboration among professionals in the built environment during his keynote address at the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, held in Abeokuta. The theme of the meeting was “Tendering and Bidding for Planning Jobs and Collaboration Among Firms.” Salako emphasized that town planning is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring cooperation with experts from various fields for optimal outcomes.

He cautioned against entering partnerships without thorough vetting of potential collaborators to safeguard the integrity of the profession. Dr Waheed Kadiri, former Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and past National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, supported Salako's views, advocating for a shift from mere cooperation to genuine collaboration for efficient project delivery.

Tpl Tunji Odunlami, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Ogun State, shared that the state government is revising policies to address challenges from rapid industrialization.