SWDC advocates corridor-driven planning for urban development in South-West

*Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola, Managing Director/CEO of South-West Development Commission, in Nigeria, assures the Commission will help to align multi-state infrastructure corridors and transit systems with planned urban growth nodes, to foster connected development for economic productivity, and sustainability

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The South-West Development Commission (SWDC), in Nigeria, has commenced a campaign for corridor-driven urban development planning in the region, listing affordability, integration and sustainability as key benefits.

Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Commission, stated this Tuesday, February 4, 2026, during a panel session at the WEMABOD 2026 Real Estate Outlook, held in Lagos.

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Akinola explained that corridor-driven urban development addresses solo efforts by states and developers which produce fragmented and unsustainable urban projects.

He also explained the SWDC would help to align multi-state infrastructure corridors and transit systems with planned urban growth nodes to foster connected development thereby making it economically productive and environmentally more sustainable.

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In his presentation titled: “Regional Agenda for Sustainable Real Estate And Urban Growth”, Dr.  Akinola cited the example of the growth along Lekki-Epe and the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) belt in Lagos State, which has successfully developed the area in a sustainable manner.

He noted that proper regional rail development would produce the same result in this regard.

The Managing Director/CEO of SWDC said: “The mistake we often make is to plan housing and real estate first and then try to retrofit infrastructure later.

“That model is costly and unsustainable. A better model is corridor-led planning — where major transport routes, logistics

networks, industrial clusters, and mobility systems are mapped first, and then housing, commercial centers, and social infrastructure are deliberately located around growth nodes along those corridors.”

He further explained: “This approach produces three benefits. First, it connects housing to jobs and markets, which improves affordability in real life, not just on paper.

“Second, it allows bulk infrastructure to be delivered more efficiently at scale.

“Third, it prevents the emergence of isolated estates that later become socially and economically stressed.”

The SWDC Chief Executive stressed that upfront planning of trunk infrastructure at corridor scale reduces cost, improves infrastructure quality as well as environmental resilience.

Akinola stated: “When trunk infrastructure is planned and financed upfront at corridor or regional scale, two things happen. “Costs drop because of economies of scale, and quality improves because infrastructure is designed as a system, not as an afterthought.”

He noted: “Infrastructure-first planning also improves environmental resilience.

“Drainage, flood control, transport access, and utility capacity can be properly engineered before dense settlement occurs.

“That reduces future urban risk and remediation costs.”

The Managing Director of the Commission said: “From a regional standpoint, sequencing matters: infrastructure first, then large-scale development — not the reverse.

“That is how cities grow in a way that is financially viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally durable.”

He explained: “If we coordinate better, plan regionally, and deliver infrastructure ahead of growth, the South-West can become a model of integrated and inclusive urban development.”

Akinola emphasised that the Commission is out to foster integration of state efforts, not to replace them.

He added that it will help multiply impact and achieve desired sustainable urban development.

“Integrated systems — not isolated projects — will define the success of urban future,” SWDC Chief stated.

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