PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITY • 21 OCTOBER 2026
RCE Minna was one of the organising partners of Niger State’s World Habitat Day 2026 celebration, held on 21 October 2026 at Haske Luxury Hotel, Tunga, Minna, and online. Hosted by the Niger State Ministry of Lands and Survey with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the New Niger Development Project, the Niger State Urban Development Board and the NITP Niger State Chapter, the event took the State theme “Sound Planning, Secure Land: The Foundation for Adequate Housing and Liveable Neighbourhoods in the New Niger.” The global theme for 2026 is “Adequate Housing for All.”
The hybrid programme drew 145 registered participants from government, professional bodies, academia, the private sector and youth groups. It featured goodwill messages from the Nigerian Environmental Society and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, a virtual keynote session by Dr Tobi Sowole and Prof. Muyiwa Elijah Agunbiade, and a showcase of the State’s plans for Greater Suleja, Minna Downtown, the Jazu–Chanchaga Corridor and the Bida Ring Road. Speakers urged planners to put the public interest first and to create safe, accessible and inclusive neighbourhoods.
International recognition for Minna
A high point of the day was the formal presentation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Survey, of the UN-Habitat and Shanghai University certificate recognising the Minna Cemetery Regeneration Project as a Shortlisted Practice in the International Outstanding Practices on Urban Regeneration (IOPUR) 2025.
“The Nigeria of My Dream”
Young people took centre stage in a spoken-word competition on “The Nigeria of My Dream.” From 41 entries, six finalists performed before a panel of judges led by Prof. Musa Haruna. Salamatu Muhammad Hafiz of Abdulkadir Kure University emerged first and received a two-year scholarship from the Ministry of Lands and Survey. The finalists shared ₦250,000 in prizes from the organisers and dignitaries, and will be linked with the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation for mentorship.
RCE Minna prepared the official report of the celebration. For the Centre, the day was a valuable platform to connect Education for Sustainable Development with urban planning, land governance and meaningful youth engagement.