NITP Marks 60th Anniversary with Courtesy Visit to COOU, Announces Annual Award for Best Graduating Student

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Anambra State Chapter, on Friday, July 31, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, as part of activities marking the Institute's 60th Anniversary.

The delegation, led by the Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Town Planner C. I. Abazu, was received on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Obiorah Ejiofor.

During the visit, the Chairman of the NITP, Anambra State Chapter, Tpl. Igwilo Ifeanyi (MNITP, RTP), delivered an address highlighting the Institute's six decades of professional excellence, commitment to sustainable urban development and contributions to advancing physical planning standards across Nigeria.

According to the Chairman, the courtesy visit was part of the Institute's nationwide Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which are aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships with tertiary institutions, increasing public awareness of the town planning profession and promoting academic excellence among students pursuing careers in Urban and Regional Planning.

A major highlight of the visit was the announcement of an annual cash award of ₦25,000, alongside a Certificate of Excellence, for the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

The Institute said the initiative is intended to promote academic distinction, encourage professionalism and further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the University and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners.

The delegation also appealed to the University Management to strengthen the Department of Urban and Regional Planning through the recruitment of additional qualified Town Planners to meet the increasing demands of teaching, research, studio instruction, fieldwork and community engagement.

Furthermore, the Institute called for an increase in student enrolment into the programme, noting that expanding admission would support the training of more competent professionals capable of addressing Nigeria's complex urban and regional development challenges.

Reaffirming its commitment to the growth and development of the University, the Institute pledged sustained collaboration with COOU in the areas of academic mentorship, professional capacity building, seminars, workshops, industrial exposure for students and research partnerships aimed at promoting excellence in planning education and professional practice.

The Chairman commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their visionary leadership and achievements, expressing optimism that continued support from the administration would propel the Department of Urban and Regional Planning to greater heights.

Responding on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Obiorah Ejiofor, congratulated the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners on its 60th Anniversary, describing the milestone as a testament to the Institute's enduring contributions to national development and the advancement of the planning profession.

Professor Ejiofor urged the Institute and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning to intensify advocacy and public sensitisation efforts to increase awareness of the discipline.

He observed that despite the immense relevance of town planning to contemporary societal development, the Department has continued to record relatively low student enrolment over the years.

According to him, sustained visibility and strategic engagement would attract more prospective students to a profession that remains indispensable in a rapidly urbanising and evolving society.

Professor Ejiofor reaffirmed the University's commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships and expressed optimism about deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in advancing academic excellence and professional development.