Experts call for renewed commitment to urban infrastructure development

A broad coalition of academics, government officials, and industry leaders has called for urgent reforms in land governance, infrastructure financing, and urban planning as Africa faces unprecedented urban growth. The call was made at the 3rd International Conference and Fair on Land and Development and the 7th Annual Lateef Jakande Lecture, where speakers urged policymakers to confront the continent’s infrastructure and land management challenges with renewed vigour. It held at the University of Lagos.

At the a high-level conference on Sustainable Land Development and Urban Infrastructure in Africa, the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable development across the continent. Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the association, the 2nd Deputy President, APBN, Toyin Ayinde, commended the UNILAG Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development and its director, Prof. Gbenga Nubi, for what he described as “unparalleled passion for the development of the housing sector in Nigeria.”Ayinde stressed the inseparable link between land development and infrastructure, noting that the theme of the conference underscored an issue fundamental to urban survival. According to him, “The theme of this conference is a reminder that you cannot live without breathing. Every living organism needs to breathe in order to exist. In the same vein, we can’t be having conversations about sustainable land development without discussing urban infrastructure. After all, what is a human settlement without the ancillary infrastructure?”

He explained that interrogating the state of infrastructure in African cities was long overdue, adding that genuine progress in land development could only be achieved when the infrastructure that sustains urban growth is deliberately provided.

“The only way development can be sustainable is to provide the infrastructure to service it,” he said.

Ayinde also highlighted the relevance of the conference to global sustainable development efforts, particularly Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

He affirmed APBN’s readiness to collaborate with the Centre and mobilise professional associations under its umbrella to support the drive for transformation in Nigeria’s built environment.

“So, we have a theme that is contemporary and relevant to our survival and the fulfillment of Goal 11 of the SDG.The APBN is in this with the Centre, and is willing to seek support of professional associations in the umbrella body to support this Centre so that change can happen,” he noted.

He expressed optimism that the conference would generate outcomes capable of influencing policy decisions across Nigeria and the continent. “We here and now express our goodwill for a successful Conference, and hope that its outcome contributes to policy decisions that will influence positive change in Nigeria, and the continent of Africa,” he added.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, called for urgent, collaborative, and research-driven action to address Africa’s rapidly expanding urbanisation challenges. Speaking at  the event, she emphasised that the continent stands “at a defining crossroads” as it prepares for unprecedented population growth and increasing pressure on land and urban infrastructure.

Ogunsola described the joint event as “a significant gathering of scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and innovators whose presence underscores the critical importance of the issues we are gathered to deliberate upon.”

Mrs Ogunsola highlighted the dual significance of the occasion, noting that while the annual Jakande Lecture honours the legacy of a man whose life’s work “remains a timeless blueprint for modern governance,” the International Conference and Fair has become “a vital nexus for sharing cutting-edge research and advancing innovative solutions in land management and sustainable development.” She described the accompanying fair as a crucial link between academic findings and real-world application, “showcasing technologies and services capable of transforming our urban and rural landscapes.”

Reflecting on the theme, Sustainable Land Development and Urban Infrastructure in Africa, she stressed that the conversations ahead were “not merely academic; they are an urgent call to action.” With Africa projected to host an additional 950 million urban residents by 2050, she cautioned that the continent faces both extraordinary opportunity and profound risk. “Alongside economic potential, we face mounting challenges— infrastructure deficits, weak land governance systems, climate vulnerabilities, and increasing pressure on institutions and resources.”

Professor Ogunsola underscored UNILAG’s central role in addressing these issues through its ARUA Centre of Excellence for Urbanization and Habitable Cities and its wide network of scholars working on coastal resilience, land-use efficiency, transport systems, smart cities, and other fields critical to Africa’s development. “The University of Lagos remains committed to serving as the intellectual engine driving this much-needed transformation,” she said.

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She stressed the importance of collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector. Describing the complementary roles of regulators and developers, she remarked, “Real estate developers hold the chisel; government holds the regulatory hammer.” The Development Fair, she added, provides a fertile ground where “students encounter real-world innovations; investors meet emerging talent; researchers find implementation partners; and policymakers see firsthand the tools reshaping tomorrow’s cities.”

Calling for a “paradigm shift,” she urged participants to abandon fragmented approaches to planning. She challenged attendees to “move from identifying problems to co-creating measurable solutions,” prioritize resilience in the face of climate change, and ensure that development models produce inclusive cities “where sustainable infrastructure serves all citizens, not only a privileged few.”

With Africa needing an estimated $93 billion annually to close its infrastructure gap, she warned of the consequences of inaction: “Failure to manage this growth sustainably risks birthing chaotic, inequitable, and environmentally fragile urban environments.”

She encouraged the conference to tackle concrete issues such as leveraging technology for infrastructure financing, strengthening land access and tenure security, embedding climate resilience in planning, and drawing on lessons from leaders like Jakande to build truly affordable cities.

In a keynote address, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide. warned that Africa must adopt coherent strategies to avert a looming urban crisis. “Africa’s rapid urbanization presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The continent can either be overwhelmed by unmanaged growth, or seize the moment to build cities of the future,” he said, noting that the region faces an annual infrastructure deficit estimated between 130 and $170 billion. He stressed that bridging this gap demands “effective land governance systems, integrated planning approaches, and innovative financing models.”

Using Lagos as a case study, the Commissioner described the state as “a leader in urban innovation” despite severe pressure on land. He highlighted transformative projects such as the Blue and Red Line rail systems, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, and expanded coastal protection, stating that Lagos continues to “pioneer reforms placing it at the forefront of African urban transformation through innovative governance and sustainable development approaches.” He acknowledged, however, that major hurdles remain, including climate threats, rapid slum expansion, limited spatial data capabilities, and weak policy implementation.

In a paper presented at the conference, titled :Navigating Complexity – Land Policy and Urban Infrastructure Development in Africa: The Nigerian Experience, Partner – Ubosi Eleh + Co., Chudi Ubosi,examined the deep-rooted structural challenges affecting Nigeria’s land administration framework. The document traced persistent bottlenecks to the 1978 Land Use Act, which  he said introduced “administrative bottlenecks, titling delays, reduced private sector participation, and increased land acquisition costs

He   offered strong recommendations, calling for a comprehensive review of the Land Use Act to reflect modern realities such as tenure security, transparent compensation systems, and streamlined registration processes. It urged the government to “remove bureaucratic bottlenecks to title, increase transparency, reduce costs, and embrace digitalisation through blockchain and GIS technologies.” Strengthening institutions and training personnel were also identified as urgent priorities.

The speakers agreed that the pressures of urbanisation are reshaping the continent’s development trajectory. With Nigeria’s major cities growing at some of the fastest rates in the world, they warned that poor planning and weak land policy threaten to widen inequality. The report noted that “pressures of urbanisation” continue to manifest in rising demand for housing, overstretched infrastructure, and the proliferation of unplanned settlements.

Throughout the conference, presenters emphasised the need for governments, the private sector, and communities to collaborate on inclusive and sustainable solutions. The UNILAG gathering, which attracted policymakers, academics, development partners, and real estate professionals, continues to serve as a platform where research-driven insights meet practical policy proposals. Organisers expressed confidence that the deliberations would inspire reforms capable of reshaping Nigeria’s and Africa’s urban future.