Studying Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria | Job Opportunities and More

If you've ever wondered how cities and regions develop their unique personalities or how urban areas evolve to meet the needs of their inhabitants, you're in the right place. Urban and regional planning is the behind-the-scenes magic that shapes the spaces people live, work, and play in.

It's a field that blends creativity with practicality, addressing everything from transportation systems and public spaces to housing developments and environmental sustainability.

People keep building houses and cities keep expanding. So this career path is unlimited and offers you opportunities to earn sustainable income from following your passion.

The job opportunities are surplus. From government to private sectors, the choice is yours to make. Read this article until the end to find out what studying Urban and Regional Planning has for you in Nigeria.

Studying Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria

• What Is Urban and Regional Planning?
• Benefits of Studying Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria
• Who Urban and Regional Planning Best Is Best For
• Who Urban and Regional Planning Isn't Best For
• Career Opportunities in Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria
• Where to Work as an Urban and Regional Planner in Nigeria
• Universities that Offer Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria
• Urban and Regional Planning University UTME Subjects Combination
• Pro Tips

What Is Urban and Regional Planning?

Urban and Regional Planning involves designing and organising the use of land and resources in towns, cities, and regions to create sustainable, functional, and attractive environments.

Think of it as a career that uses creativity with problem-solving to improve living conditions, manage urban growth, and ensure efficient infrastructure like roads, schools, and hospitals.

In Nigeria, this field is especially crucial due to rapid urbanisation and the need to address challenges like traffic congestion, housing shortages, and environmental sustainability.

If you want to shape the future of Nigerian cities and make them a better place for everyone, Urban and Regional Planning is the best course to choose.

Benefits of Studying Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria

Studying Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria offers numerous benefits, especially when you consider the country's rapid urbanisation and development needs.

This career offers you the skills to tackle pressing issues such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, and sustainable development, all of which are crucial for improving the quality of life in Nigerian cities.

This field provides a unique opportunity to directly impact your community by designing more efficient, livable, and resilient urban spaces. Additionally, with Nigeria's expanding economy and growing infrastructure projects, there is a high demand for qualified planners opening up diverse career opportunities for you in both the public and private sectors. That means as you advance in this career, money isn't going to be something you have to worry about. The field offers you both career and financial fulfilment.

Who Urban and Regional Planning Best Is Best For

Before you dive deeper into what Urban and Regional Planning holds for you in Nigeria, ensure the field aligns with your personality. Choose this career if you're someone who:

• Is passionate about community development
• Has interest in sustainable and environmental planning
• Possesses strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Is an aspiring professional in government and public policy
• Is keen on infrastructure and transportation planning
• Has a knack for design and spatial planning
• Is interested in real estate and urban economics
• Desires to address housing and urban inequality

Who Urban and Regional Planning Isn't Best For

Urban and Regional Planning is not for you if you're someone who:

• Hates working in interdisciplinary teams
• Is uncomfortable with regulatory and policy frameworks
• Prefers highly predictable and routine tasks
• Has no interest in long-term project development
• Loves working in isolation rather than community engagement
• Has a low tolerance for navigating bureaucratic processes

Career Opportunities in Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria

Urban and Regional Planning offers you a range of career opportunities in Nigeria. It features specialised fields where you can practise in the country and achieve career fulfilment. Common career opportunities for Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria include:

• Urban planner: Design and implement plans for urban development where you deal with land use, transportation, and infrastructure projects.
• Environmental planner: Assess environmental impacts of development projects and propose solutions for sustainable resource management.
• Transportation planner: This is where you design efficient transportation systems to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion in urban areas. Think of a place like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, or Enugu (It's not limited to these states alone as transportation planners are in high demand in all the 36 states).
• Housing policy analyst: Perform the needs for housing needs and develop policies to address affordability and accessibility issues.
• Community development officer: If you're settling in this role your duty is to work with communities to identify needs and facilitate projects that enhance quality of life such as parks and community centres.
• GIS specialist: Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to map and analyse spatial data for planning purposes.
• Urban renewal specialist: This role allows you to lead initiatives to revitalise deteriorating urban areas through redevelopment projects and community engagement.
• Regional development consultant: Provide expertise to local governments, NGOs, and private firms on strategies for balanced regional development and economic growth.
• Disaster management planner: Develop plans and strategies to mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters on urban areas, including emergency response and recovery efforts.

Notice that you're going to touch all these specialties in the university.

Where to Work as an Urban and Regional Planner in Nigeria

When it comes to where to practise your skill as an urban and regional planner, a lot of factors come to play. For example, you want to prioritise growth potential, monetary aspect, and career fulfilment. Explore below the curated list of places to work as a planner in Nigeria:

• Oil and Gas Companies: Work directly for companies involved in the exploration, extraction, refining, and distribution of petroleum and petrochemical products such as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil.
• Petrochemical Plants: Employment opportunities exist in petrochemical plants where raw materials like crude oil and natural gas convert into various products such as plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals. Examples include Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited and Dangote Petrochemical Refinery.
• Engineering Consultancies: Join engineering consulting firms that provide services to the oil and gas industry offering expertise in design, construction, and maintenance of petrochemical facilities.
• Research and Development Institutions: Pursue research positions in academic institutions or research organisations focusing on innovations in petrochemical processes, environmental sustainability, and safety measures.
• Government Agencies: Work for government agencies responsible for regulating the oil and gas sector, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and promoting sustainable development practices such as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Universities that Offer Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria

You can study Urban and Regional Planning in a polytechnic or university. The best 10 universities in Nigeria to study Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria are:

• Abia State University, Uturu
• Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
• Bayero University
• Baze University
• Bells University of Technology, Otta
• Federal University of Technology, Owerri
• Gregory University, Uturu
• Imo State University, Owerri
• Joseph Ayo Babalola University

If you want to explore a polytechnic, choose from any of the following:

• Kaduna Polytechnic
• Abia State Polytechnic
• Adamawa State Polytechnic
• Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
• Federal Polytechnic, Oko
• Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic
• Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic
• Kano State Polytechnic
• Kwara State Polytechnic
• Lagos State Polytechnic

Urban and Regional Planning University UTME Subjects Combination

To consider Urban and Regional Planning at all, be a science student and have at least credit passes in the following subjects in your WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB: English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geography, and Agricultural Science.

Register for JAMB and choose the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Geography, and Chemistry/Physics/Agricultural Science/Biology. Score 250+ to boost your chances of getting admitted.

Pro Tips

• Immerse yourself in the field: Take advantage of field trips and site visits to observe real-world urban planning projects in action, providing valuable insights into local challenges and solutions.
• Embrace an interdisciplinary approach: Integrate knowledge from fields such as geography, architecture, economics, and sociology to gain a holistic understanding of urban dynamics and planning principles.
• Engage actively with communities: Understand their needs, preferences, and concerns by fostering trust and collaboration in the planning process.
• Stay informed: Keep up with current trends, policies, and best practices in urban and regional planning through academic literature, professional journals, and participation in conferences and workshops.
• Gain hands-on experience: Seek internships or volunteer opportunities with planning agencies, NGOs, or private firms to build practical skills and a professional network within the industry.

Recap

Urban and Regional Planning offers a blend of field immersion, interdisciplinary learning, and community engagement that allow you to gain invaluable insights into addressing pressing urban challenges.

This educational path opens doors to diverse career opportunities in oil and gas companies, petrochemical plants, engineering consultancies, research institutions, and government agencies.

While the field is rewarding in terms of impact and job satisfaction, it also offers competitive salaries and the chance to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development initiatives across the nation.

As graduates, urban and regional planners play a vital role in creating livable, resilient, and vibrant cities and regions that meet the needs of present and future generations in Nigeria.

Explore the career in full. The sky is your starting point.