The Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) has faulted the inauguration and mandate of a new Land Use and Allocation Committee by the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF), describing the move as illegal, unprofessional and a clear case of institutional overreach.

In a press statement signed by its President, Tpl. Hakeem Olatunji Badejo, ATOPCON expressed deep concern over a January 16, 2026 statement by OSGOF announcing the establishment of a "Land Use and Allocation Committee for Land Projects."

While acknowledging the importance of geospatial data and modern surveying techniques in land administration, the town planners argued that the OSGOF has no legal or professional authority to venture into physical planning, land use zoning, land allocation or development control.

ATOPCON particularly criticised the composition of the five-member committee, which it said consists of four land surveyors and one quantity surveyor, to the exclusion of town planners, estate surveyors and legal practitioners.

Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn

"This is a clear violation of jurisdiction because the action of the OSGOF disregards the settled constitutional and administrative hierarchy of Nigeria.

"ATOPCON noted that the Land Use Act vests all land within a state in the governor and does not confer land management or allocation powers on the Surveyor General of the Federation. Alsophysical development plans are statutorily prepared and implemented by duly constituted town planning authorities, not surveying offices.,"

ATOPCON therefore called for urgent intervention by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON) and TOPREC to halt what it described as an institutional crisis.