Nigerian town planners demand improved pay, compensation

Members of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, NITP, and Town Planners Registration Council Of Nigeria, TOPREC, have called for an equitable compensation of planning professionals across all sectors.

This according to them will help establish and uphold standards and value in their professional engagements.

The National President, Nigeria Institute of Town Planner, NITP, Nathaniel Atebije, made the call on Wednesday, during the 25th edition of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program, MCPDP held in Abeokuta.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Building Capacity For Change Management And Compensation In Urban And Regional Planning Practice’, Atebije said that securing an appropriate fee for services rendered speaks directly to the sustainability and growth of the profession.

Atebije while stressing that the country is experiencing a significant shift in its economic and regulatory environment, urged the planners to unlearn and relearn new strategies to survive these changes.

He explained that embracing new technological tools, strategies and insights will effectively navigate and foster change within the profession.

He said, “Change management is a critical discipline in our rapidly transforming world. It demands understanding, adaptation and a proactive attitude towards emerging challenges and opportunities.

“Nigeria is going through some difficult and significant shifts in its economic, technological and regulatory environments, this should provoke or stimulate our ability to manage and lead through these changes.

“It is also intended to ensure that professionals in Nigeria are rightly compensated. The issue of securing appropriate fees for services rendered speaks directly to the sustainability and growth of our professional community.

“It is essential that we establish and uphold standards that ensure fairness, transparency and value in all our professional engagements.”

In his remarks, Isyaku Kura, President of the Town Planners Registration Council Of Nigeria, TOPREC, explained that the professionals deserve salaries and benefits that reflect their expertise, responsibilities and impact.