The Dean, Faculty of Environmental Studies, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr Kola Lawal, has stressed the need to leverage on technology and proper planning to reduce urban insecurity.
Lawal said this while delivering a paper titled ‘Smart Urbanism for Safer Communities’ at the investiture ceremony of TPL Olusola Odukoya and other executive members of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Ogun State Chapter, that only effective policy-making would address this challenge.
“Smart urbanism is an integrated approach to city planning and governance that uses digital technologies, data analytics and intelligent systems to improve urban efficiency, safety, sustainability and quality of life.
“The smart city concept involves harnessing digital tools like sensors, artificial intelligence, and big data to optimise resources and services,” he said.
He revealed that the global urban population is projected to soar from 4.4 billion in 2020 to nearly 7 billion by 2050, with Africa and Asia accounting for the largest share of this growth.
While adding that Nigeria’s urban population increased from 36 per cent in 1990 to 52 per cent in 2020, projected to exceed 60 per cent by 2035, reaching approximately 264 million by 2050.
He noted that contemporary urban security challenges extend beyond traditional crimes, encompassing new forms of violence and exploitation, which are often amplified by socio-economic factors.
“Urban insecurity has become a defining challenge for cities worldwide, with Nigeria acutely affected due to rapid urban growth, socio-economic pressures and governance deficits.
“Nigeria’s urban population is projected to exceed 60% by 2035, leading to dense settlements and heightened demand for services.
“Almost half of Nigeria’s city dwellers live in informal areas, lacking essentials and heightening dangers,” he added.
Lawal highlighted that Nigeria recorded an estimated 51.9 million household crime incidents in 2024, including over 2.2 million kidnappings.
He argued that traditional, reactive policing is inadequate for rapidly urbanising areas, where over 70 per cent of towns operate without approved master plans, creating fertile ground for crime.
In his inaugural address, Odukoya outlined professional development, institutional advocacy, ethical practice, secretariat development and strategic partnerships as some of the priorities of his administration.
The new chairman emphasised the profession’s critical role in tackling urbanisation, infrastructure deficits, and insecurity.
The National President, TPL, Dr Chime Ogbonna, represented by Prof. Oluwole Daramola, called for deeper collaboration with the Ogun State Government.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Olatunji Odunlami, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to partnership for sustainable development.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Olayinka Olukoya
Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: Nigerian Tribune, 03.02.2026
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