The Senate has approved the second reading of a bill that aims to establish the Chartered Institute of Planning of Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the proposal, introduced by Senator Ede Dafinone from Delta Central, seeks to create a statutory body responsible for regulating and standardising planning practices nationwide.
Dafinone told lawmakers that the country continues to struggle with policy instability, abandoned projects and poor long-term forecasting because Nigeria lacks a formal, unified planning structure.
He said the new institute would set national benchmarks for training, ethics, certification and continuous professional development.
According to him, the institute would harmonise planning approaches across economic, social, environmental, infrastructure and strategic sectors.
He added that it would help build a competent planning workforce and make structured planning a permanent part of governance.
Dafinone also said the institute would work closely with bodies such as INEC, local governments, the NUC and private sector groups to ensure Nigeria’s planning aligns with global standards.
He noted that improved planning capacity would reduce wastage, minimise project failures and encourage investor confidence through predictable, data-driven processes. He stressed that the bill places no financial burden on the federal government.
Most senators supported moving the bill forward. Senator Tahir Monguno said, “This bill is apt and germane especially looking against the background of policy somersaults that has hindered our developmental plans.”
The senator added that the institute would eliminate quackery by training qualified planners without costing the government money.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole stood alone in opposition, saying, “It does not merit spending the precious time of the senate on it. This law does not deserve second reading.”
Other senators argued otherwise. Joel Onowakpo said Nigeria must meet global planning standards. Orji Kalu said it would be “too premature to kill the bill,” while Simon Lalong described it as timely in an age driven by technology.
Lola Ashiru emphasised the importance of data in modern development, and Amos Yohanna explained that the proposed institute would serve as a regulatory body for planning practitioners.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin conducted a voice vote, and the majority supported the bill. Barau then announced that the bill is referred to the senate committee of planning and finance to report back within four weeks.
