Town planners fault inauguration of land use allocation committee
The Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) has faulted the inauguration and mandate of a new Land Use and Allocation Committee by the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF), describing the move as illegal, unprofessional and a clear case of institutional overreach. In a press statement signed by its President, […]
The Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) has faulted the inauguration and mandate of a new Land Use and Allocation Committee by the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF), describing the move as illegal, unprofessional and a clear case of institutional overreach.
In a press statement signed by its President, Tpl. Hakeem Olatunji Badejo, ATOPCON expressed deep concern over a January 16, 2026 statement by OSGOF announcing the establishment of a “Land Use and Allocation Committee for Land Projects.”
While acknowledging the importance of geospatial data and modern surveying techniques in land administration, the town planners argued that the OSGOF has no legal or professional authority to venture into physical planning, land use zoning, land allocation or development control.
ATOPCON particularly criticised the composition of the five-member committee, which it said consists of four land surveyors and one quantity surveyor, to the exclusion of town planners, estate surveyors and legal practitioners.
According to the association, the Land Use Act clearly provides for the inclusion of two estate surveyors and a lawyer in the Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC), with the power to appoint members vested solely in state governors, not the Surveyor General of the Federation.
He noted that urban and regional planning is a residual matter under the Constitution, outside the legislative competence of the Federal Government except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He stressed that governors possess the constitutional power to organise such committees in their respective states.
“This is a clear violation of jurisdiction because the action of the OSGOF disregards the settled constitutional and administrative hierarchy of Nigeria.
ATOPCON noted that the Land Use Act vests all land within a state in the governor and does not confer land management or allocation powers on the Surveyor General of the Federation. It added that physical development plans are statutorily prepared and implemented by duly constituted town planning authorities, not surveying offices.
On technical competence, the association emphasised that land surveying and land use planning are distinct professional functions. While surveyors are trained in measurement and mapping of land, ATOPCON said land use planning requires the specialised expertise of registered town planners who determine appropriate land uses for housing, commerce, industry and infrastructure.
“The surveyor provides the spatial canvas; the town planner creates the legal and visionary blueprint for its use,” the statement said, warning that any attempt by one profession to appropriate the statutory functions of another could lead to professional disorder.
ATOPCON also raised ethical concerns, stating that professionalism demands respect for statutory boundaries. It cited the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) Act, which grants town planners exclusive authority over land use planning practice in Nigeria.
The association warned that allowing the committee to function, even on federal lands, could result in administrative confusion, legal disputes, investor uncertainty and erosion of professional standards. It added that development permits issued by unauthorised bodies could be declared void under Section 26 of the Land Use Act, putting major real estate investments at risk.
ATOPCON therefore called for urgent intervention by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON) and TOPREC to halt what it described as an institutional crisis.
In its conclusion, the association said Nigeria’s development aspirations could only be realised through strict adherence to the rule of law, professional ethics and respect for specialised expertise.
“ATOPCON remains open to collaboration,” the statement added, “but will resolutely defend the legal and professional integrity of urban and regional planning in Nigeria.”