By Cee Harmon
Abdulahi Opejin is a visionary committed to developing sustainable communities through innovative infrastructure planning and environmental protection in urban planning. He designs urban landscapes to balance development, ecological protection, and social inclusiveness by seamlessly combining technical expertise with a commitment to resilience and justice.
His journey into urban planning began in 2015 at the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development as a deputy urban planner, where Abdulahi helped promote sustainable urban development.
He contributed significantly to the Ministry's Development Control Unit in the preparation and approval of building plans and compliance with zoning and environmental policies, including the design of the Federal Government's siting and utility plans for Osu, Ile-ife and Ilesha.
His experience in floor plan development thus contributed to balanced residential, commercial and industrial planning while solving urban challenges such as unregulated development and environmental problems such as flooding.
At Home for All Consults, where he worked as an urban planner between 2018 and 2019, Abdulahi became quite enterprising and led some urban planning projects. He used GIS and remote sensing to locate sites for housing developments, paying particular attention to accessibility, environmental impact assessment, campus design, and community development.
He ensured that projects were functional, aesthetically pleasing and affordable, and coordinated investors, architects and local authorities to address Nigeria's housing deficit while promoting sustainable growth.
At Metronome Consult, a leading GIS and urban planning company in Lagos, Abdulahi led a multidisciplinary team of geospatial analysts who mapped over 200 square kilometers in three local government areas, including Kosofe Local Government Area, from 2019 to 2021.
His astute leadership guaranteed the success of various projects by ensuring data was correctly validated, ground truthing and managing resources appropriately. In addition, he developed innovative property tax collection strategies and effective economic strategies, demonstrating his ability to balance financial responsibility with technical excellence.
He is currently working at Folkland PDC, the engineering arm of PWAN Real Estate Company in Lagos, where he maximizes sustainability in residential design. He is responsible for settlement planning, development and environmental impact assessment (EIA).
He also produces detailed site maps, topographical analysis, and zoning regulations by optimizing land use, integrating advanced geospatial technologies, and prioritizing environmental sustainability in urban planning.
Undoubtedly, its focus on infrastructure combined with environmentally friendly practices will continue to set the benchmark for sustainable urban development.
Additionally, Abdulahi is an inclusion advocate who works with policymakers, community leaders and researchers to formulate holistic urban development solutions.
Through this unique approach, Abdulahi has helped create short-term solutions in cities and set a new paradigm for adaptive, sustainable development. An example is the Leagacy Polytechnic campus design in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, which he led in 2018 along with other professionals.
Abdulahi's contribution is a testament to the transformative impact of purpose-driven urban planning. Combining his technical expertise with an understanding of social and environmental dynamics, he is a true trendsetter – a force that will inspire professionals to take on the challenge of reshaping the future of urban development.