Experts in physical planning and urban development have canvassed for stronger cooperation among South-West states to coordinate infrastructure development, tackle urban congestion and flooding, improve housing delivery and attract investments across the region.
They spoke at a two-day Lagos Physical Planning Summit 2.0, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, where stakeholders sought an integrated regional development framework to address urban challenges that transcend state boundaries.
The experts argued that effective physical planning among Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states would improve transportation networks, strengthen economic corridors and promote sustainable urban growth.
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, proposed a Lagos-to-South-West Spatial Development and Investment Compact, to foster collaboration among the six states on cross-border infrastructure, environmental resilience, regional economic development and investment opportunities.
Speaking on the theme: “Diagnosis to Delivery: Positioning Lagos for Regional Strategic Development and Priority Investment Agenda,” Bamidele said the future of Lagos and its neighbouring states depended not only on the quality of their development plans, but also on their commitment to finance, coordinate and implement them.
He proposed that the framework should bring together state governments, relevant federal institutions, planning authorities, infrastructure agencies, private-sector organisations and development partners to identify common priorities and develop practical implementation plans.
He said, regional transportation and logistics, industrial development, power infrastructure, housing, environmental management and investment mobilisation require greater cooperation among the states.
He also called for improved land administration, digital innovation, transparent development regulations and effective public-private partnerships, stressing that regional projects must have clear funding arrangements, defined responsibilities and measurable performance targets.
Bamidele said coordinated development could reduce congestion, improve the movement of goods and people, attract investments and create employment opportunities across the South-West.
He added that effective physical planning should translate into accessible housing, shorter commuting times, reduced flood risks and a more productive business environment.
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also advocated stronger regional cooperation, noting that transportation, housing, economic activities and environmental challenges frequently extend beyond administrative boundaries.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the state Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, said the rapid growth of Lagos’s population, expanding economic activities and limited land resources made proper planning essential to sustainable development.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond preparing development plans to ensuring their effective implementation through clear priorities, adequate funding and measurable results.
The governor stressed that decisions on land use, housing, transportation, drainage and infrastructure must be properly coordinated to prevent congestion, flooding and overcrowded settlements.
He also called for stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, consistent enforcement of planning regulations and transparent development approval processes.
Sanwo-Olu identified reliable data, clear implementation timelines and accountable institutions as critical to translating development plans into tangible improvements in residents’ living conditions while providing greater certainty for investors.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said the summit provided an opportunity for policymakers, professionals, investors, developers and academics to develop practical solutions to Lagos’s urban development challenges.
He said master plans and model city plans must guide infrastructure provision, housing, transportation, environmental management and investment decisions rather than remain documents without effective implementation
Olumide also highlighted regional collaboration, improved planning administration and technology as essential tools for modern urban management.
He disclosed that the Electronic Physical Planning Permit Processing System, introduced on April 1, 2026, was designed to enable applicants to process planning permit applications remotely, reduce unnecessary human interference and improve efficiency without compromising planning standards or public safety.
The commissioner called for innovative infrastructure financing, stronger institutional coordination and sustained investment in the capacity of planning officers and allied professionals.
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He urged participants to ensure that the summit’s recommendations were practical, measurable and supported by clear responsibilities, timelines and credible funding arrangements.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Tpl. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, commended the state government for its commitment to physical planning and sustainable development through the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.
He expressed confidence that the knowledge shared and recommendations generated at the summit would strengthen partnerships and promote practical solutions for sustainable urban development in Lagos and the wider region.
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