A town planning professional and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tpl. Banji Aluko, has commended the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for what he described as significant efforts in physical planning, urban renewal and infrastructure development across the state.
Banji Aluko said the administration’s approach to physical development was important to the long-term growth and sustainability of Ekiti State, particularly as urban centres expand and economic activities increase.
He explained that physical planning went beyond the construction of roads and buildings, describing it as the systematic organisation and management of land and human activities to create safe, functional, accessible and economically productive communities.
According to him, effective physical planning determines the appropriate locations for residential areas, commercial centres, industrial activities, public facilities, transportation infrastructure, recreational spaces and other land uses, while ensuring that such developments are supported by adequate infrastructure.
Banji Aluko, former chairman, Ikere local government, an academic product of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), said his assessment of developments in Ekiti was informed by his professional background and observations of the state’s urban transformation.
He noted that well-planned cities make it easier for governments to provide infrastructure, improve transportation, manage environmental challenges, attract investment and create a conducive environment for businesses to operate.
*Atikankan Urban Renewal*
Aluko particularly cited the urban renewal initiative in Atikankan, Ado-Ekiti, as an example of the importance of physical planning to the future development of the state capital.
The Ekiti State Government had reportedly approved N300 million in compensation for affected property owners under the Atikankan/Igbeyin urban renewal project, covering 130 claimants with permanent structures and 21 claimants with temporary structures.
The area has also been described as an urban shanty that requires comprehensive intervention because of its physical, social and environmental challenges.
Banji Aluko said the transformation of Atikankan should not be viewed merely as the removal of old or distressed structures, but as an opportunity to reorganise urban space and create an environment capable of supporting businesses, transportation, housing, recreation and other economic activities.
He noted that the state government had indicated that the proposed Atikankan project was intended to transform the area into a modern Central Business District and trading hub where businesses and corporate organisations could operate in a more organised environment.
He added that the government had also linked the project to employment generation and improved living conditions.
According to Banji Aluko, meaningful urban renewal must combine physical infrastructure with economic opportunities, social facilities and appropriate land-use planning.
«“Physical planning is about how we organise our environment for people to live, work, move around and carry out their businesses. It is about making sure that development does not happen haphazardly.»
«“When you have good roads without proper land-use planning, you may still have traffic problems, flooding, environmental challenges and uncoordinated development. That is why physical planning must go together with infrastructure development.”»
*Infrastructure and Urban Growth*
Banji Aluko said the Oyebanji administration’s investments in roads, flyovers, business districts and other infrastructure projects could have implications beyond transportation, particularly through their potential influence on the location of businesses, property development and the movement of people and goods.
He said the state government had identified urban renewal, road construction, flyovers, business districts and other infrastructure projects as components of its efforts to transform Ado-Ekiti into a modern capital city.
He also commended the administration’s investment in infrastructure across the state, noting that improved road networks and public facilities could strengthen connections between urban centres, rural communities, agricultural areas and tourism destinations.
In September 2026, Governor Oyebanji inspected several major projects, including the Ekiti Agro-Allied Airport, aviation fuel facilities, the 80-bed medical facility at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, the reconstruction of Adekunle Fajuyi Memorial Park and the new High Court Complex in Ado-Ekiti.
Banji Aluko said such projects should be viewed within the broader framework of physical development because infrastructure provides an important foundation for economic activities and community growth.
*Tourism as an Economic Opportunity*
The town planner also stressed the importance of tourism to Ekiti State’s future development, saying the state’s natural attractions, mountains, cultural heritage and historical sites could become major economic assets if properly planned, developed and connected to supporting infrastructure.
Governor Oyebanji has identified tourism as an avenue for wealth and job creation and has stated that his administration intends to upgrade tourism destinations to international standards. The state has also been working on a tourism master plan to provide a systematic framework for developing its tourism assets.
The state’s 2026–2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy reportedly provides for the acquisition and development of tourism sites, including the site of the first plane crash at Ikogosi and the Abanijorin Mountain and Cave at Iyin-Ekiti. It also provides for the development of an Ekiti Tourism Master Plan and the construction of a National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) study centre in Ado-Ekiti.
Banji Aluko said physical planning could support tourism development by ensuring that tourist destinations were properly connected to roads, accommodation facilities, recreational areas, commercial centres, security infrastructure and other essential services.
He added that tourism development should create opportunities for local residents and businesses, including hotels, restaurants, transportation operators, artisans, farmers, tour guides, entertainment businesses and other service providers.
He further noted that cultural events could complement infrastructure development by attracting visitors and creating markets for local businesses.
While unveiling EKIFEST 2026, Governor Oyebanji said his administration wanted Ekiti to become a major destination for cultural tourism and a leading creative hub through investments in infrastructure, institutions and opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Banji Aluko said the combination of tourism development, urban renewal and infrastructure investment could create a broader economic chain in which public-sector projects stimulate private-sector investment, business growth and employment.
*Private-Sector Participation*
Banji Aluko disclosed that his organisation had also contributed to the local economy through the employment of 40 members of staff, adding that plans were underway to establish additional offices in Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti and Oye-Ekiti.
He explained that the expansion would bring the company’s services closer to residents while creating additional opportunities for economic participation within the communities.
He urged the state government to continue creating an enabling environment for private investors, stressing that government alone could not provide all employment opportunities without the active participation of businesses and other private-sector actors.
He also called for stronger collaboration between government and professionals in town planning, architecture, engineering, real estate, hospitality, agriculture and other sectors, noting that sustainable urban development requires contributions from different professional and economic groups.
*Strengthening Planning Control*
Banji Aluko urged planning authorities to maintain professional standards in the approval and monitoring of physical developments across the state.
He said planning approval, building control, environmental considerations, road networks, drainage systems and land-use regulations must be properly coordinated to prevent future urban problems.
According to him, enforcement is as important as planning because regulations would have limited impact if developers were allowed to disregard approved plans.
He also urged the government to sustain attention on emerging urban centres such as Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti and Oye-Ekiti, noting that early planning was necessary to prevent uncontrolled urban expansion.
Banji Aluko said urban growth should be anticipated rather than merely reacted to, stressing that adequate provision for roads, drainage, public transportation, housing, markets, schools, healthcare facilities and recreational spaces could reduce pressure on communities as their populations increase.
*Call for Stakeholder Engagement*
Banji Aluko expressed optimism that continued investment in infrastructure and physical planning would strengthen Ekiti State’s economic base and enhance its attractiveness to investors.
He said the transformation of Atikankan, development of tourism infrastructure and expansion of road networks should be accompanied by appropriate land-use planning, professional supervision and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
He urged residents, traditional institutions, professionals, business owners and community leaders to participate actively in discussions concerning urban development, stressing that physical planning affects everyone who lives, works or invests in the state.
Banji Aluko maintained that sustainable development requires a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, social needs and orderly land use.
He therefore called for continuity in the implementation of physical planning and urban renewal programmes, noting that the long-term success of such initiatives would depend on effective planning, professional supervision, adequate infrastructure provision, stakeholder participation and consistent enforcement of development regulations.
He also urged the Oyebanji administration to sustain its focus on infrastructure, tourism, hospitality, agriculture and other sectors capable of contributing to Ekiti State’s economic development.
Banji Aluko said physical planning and infrastructure development remained important foundations for building functional cities, attracting investment, promoting tourism, generating employment and improving the quality of life of residents.
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