It is a privilege to have been nominated for election as an ISOCARP Board member at this time. My name is Abimbola Olanrewaju Tofowomo, and I am an urban planner by profession. I work in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ondo State, Nigeria, as the Director in the department of Master Plan. 

My experience spans over 30 years of working in various departments and units in the Ministry, ranging from policy formulations, urban regeneration programmes, implementation of physical land-use plans, managing remote sensing and GIS projects, heading several area town planning offices in Ondo state, serving as the Special Adviser to the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the State Coordinator of the Task Force on Environmental enforcement. 

My academic journey in the field of urban and regional planning started with a degree in geography and regional planning, advanced with a Master of Science in urban and regional planning, and I am currently seeking more knowledge with a PhD studentship in urban and regional planning. My academic and professional pedigree has put me in a better place professionally, and with the aim to keep expanding my knowledge in physical planning and urban development. 

The ISOCARP mission aims to bridge the gap between planning theory and practice, among other things. As a planning professional who is particularly involved in planning practice, I am well aware of the disconnect between the theoretical and practical aspects of planning, both at the local and regional levels. I am certain that my being a member of the board would be an avenue to share knowledge and expertise with fellow members towards fostering sustainability and creating a functional and liveable human settlement, as the ISOCARP mission states. 

Regional integration is one of the highlights of ISOCARP; however, the sub-Saharan African region seems not well captured in ISOCARP’s membership. If given the opportunity to serve on the board, I would work assiduously with the President and other board members to aggressively populate ISOCARP with vibrant urban professionals from the African continent for knowledge dissemination and professional advancement. 

Once again, thank you for the privilege.